Costa Blanca Olive Press - Issue 10 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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From a rented room to jail - ‘It could happen to anyone’ Page 6

Treading through history in Denia

Vol. 1 Issue 10

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The great outdoors, just draped in luxury Page 26

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August 1st - August 14th 2019

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IT was the scam which fuelled the Spanish dream. The cash flow paid the mortgage to a villa with sweeping views over Javea, it paid for first-class trips to New York, Vegas and Vancouver, not to mention the vintage Mor-

MORRIS MINOR: Brought with robbed cash

EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt

ris Minor for coastal escapades at home. But the €270,000 that the aptly named Jane and Bill Scammell stole from an eldery couple they were caring for in Javea saw them sentenced to four years in July. An Alicante court ruled the pair, aged 51 and 57, had ‘taken advantage’ of their infirm employers who became ‘totally dependent’ as their respective illnesses worsened. The crimes began at the end of 2011, when the Scammells started siphoning cash into their personal accounts through small cash deposits, cheques and credit card transfers. They did not stop even when the elderly wife passed away in 2013, and while the husband suffered from

SCAMMERS: Brits Jane (left) and Bill took advantage of elderly Parkinson’s and cerebral arterio- But the British fraudsters kept sclerosis that rendered him increas- €102,890 of pilfered cash as the ingly ‘incapacitated and with lapses credit card transfers were ‘unverin memory’. ifiable’ having been made in small The judge ruled the pair could keep amounts of ‘between €100 and €116,680 from a total of €385,902 €600’. as salaries, while from the unjusti- Sources have told the Olive Press fied €270,000 they were ordered to how the couple, who have not been pay €166,332 to the Dutch family of named until now, ‘laughed off’ the the deceased. scam to family and friends. “It appears that Jane had absolutely no compassion or sense of right and wrong,” a relative close to the family, who asked to remain nameless, told the Olive Press. 2 CRIME “The disgusting thing is that they hawk downthe English press was friend’ of former Teulada-MorairaCrackHector seem to have gotten away with some mayor Carlos Lin- ares. naming and shaming her, but he of it. “It’s wonderful, said ‘the times “Jane used to use the words ‘cash because you refor keeping dogs cow’ to refer to the couple. ally wrote the Blackin “She was accumulating money cab this condition rapist’s truth,” Boas told sometimes by charging a ridiculous costa are plans now over’.” €50 to take the dogs around the the Olive Press. The dogs’ owner, block for this old couple. “In our fight we Fernando Serrat, “She wanted to fleece them for all really need that has now agreed they have.” courage.” to hand them When the elderly woman passed Boas said Teulaover for adoption. away, Jane and Bill allegedly began da’s new councilHave you been to scheming to ‘get what they could’ Spit and run COLLARED lor for public ser- FLASHBACK: the police about Dog appeal before it was too late. vices, Hector Moanimals in terrible “It was around 2013 that the Scamrales, is ‘now completely on the conditions near to your homes? mell’s lifestyle began to change,” the

VICTORY: Dogs saved from ‘hellhole’ www.theolivepress.es

THE Olive Press has been ‘pivotal’ in the release of six podenco dogs trapped in an abandoned house on the Costa Blanca. Grace Boas, 63, last month claimed the hounds had been locked up for ‘eight years’ among their own ‘excrement and worms’. Following four denuncias and two instancias, the dogs are now being sought a suitable shelter and will be rehomed ‘very soon’. Nothing was being done to save them as the 77-year-old owner’s daughter was allegedly ‘a

July 4th - July 17th 2019

NEWS IN BRIEF Held to account

A SURVEILLANCE helicopter has caught a man travelling at 223 km/h on the AP-7 motorway on the Costa Blanca while ‘high on several drugs’. The Pegasus helicopter from Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) caught the driver at 13.42 in Gandia on Saturday, before notifying the Guardia Civil’s traffic unit. The man was detained and tested positive to ‘various narcotics’.

SPAIN has been referred to the EU Court of Justice for imposing disproportionate fines on taxpayers who failed to report assets held in other EU countries.

Little ears

A BOY aged 10 has rescued a 64-yearold Dutchman who fell into a fissure in the mountains of Picos de Europa, northern Spain. The boy split from his family to take photographs when he heard the injured man scream for help.

Once a wolf

FIVE members of the ‘Wolf Pack’ gang have been found guilty of rape after the Supreme Court overturned a regional court’s lesser conviction of sexual assault. The five men will each be jailed for 15 years, instead of 9 years, for raping an 18-year-old and filming it in Pamplona.

Delay

PEDRO Sanchez has delayed a vote until July 23 in order to convince Pablo Iglesias’ Unidos Podemos to for a coalition with the socialist party. PSOE won 123 seats during the April elections, but need 176 to become a majority in the Spanish congress.

Unexpected baggage

A MILITARY official travelling with Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro was detained in Sevilla after 39kg of cocaine was found in his suitcase on the presidential plane.

The Spanish government brought in surveillance helicopters to catch speeders back in 2007. A total of eight now patrol the Spanish skies. The Pegasus choppers uses two cameras which monitor the speed of a car and record its number plate. The cameras can also determine if a driver is using a mobile phone or riding without a seatbelt.

Trapped in hell

MONSTER: John Worboys

British expat says council are ‘ignoring’ attempts to rescue mistreated dogs

A BRITISH expat who has fought for eight years to rescue dogs trapped in a ‘hellhole’ says town hall councillors do nothing due to their friendship with the owner. Grace Boas, 63, said there are six podenco hunting dogs stuck in an abandoned house

EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt

Fernando Serrat, but nothing ever changes,” she explained. Grace believes nothing has been done is that Serrat’s ‘without windows’ on Cami daughter is the director of the Sant Miquel, near Benimeit, Auditori Teulada and ‘good friends’ with former health in Teulada. She said the dogs live su- councillor Rosa Ana Caselles rrounded by ‘excrement and and former mayor Carlos Liworms’ and they ‘never leave’ nares. A series of letters addressed the property. “I walk my dogs there every to both politicians pleading day and they bark non-stop,” for ‘a solution’ have gone Grace, who is secretary of unanswered. PLUTO Protectora Animales, “We want to give these dogs a life of liberty, without fleas, told the Olive Press. “Four denuncias, two instan- worms, poor nutrition and MISTREATED: Dogs trapped in abandoned house cias and a complaint to the horrific conditions,” read one EU Commission have been letter to Linares. to ‘understand Spanish cultucertainly not European behamade against their owner, She was recently told by Se- re’. rrat’s daughter that she failed “But is this really culture? It’s viour, or shouldn’t be,” added Grace, who retired to Spain 15 years for health reasons. She believes that the keen hunter Serrat, aged 77, is now ‘incapable’ of caring for his six dogs. However there is hope on TWO men have been arrested A WOMAN has been arrested after in the horizon with both LinaBarcelona after robbing 23 her dog died from strangulation and res and Caselles no longer in rists by using the ‘spitting’ touheatsmetroke. power after May’s elections. thod. The 27-year-old is charged with She hopes new councillor for The men were seen on CCTV animal abuse after her ‘dying’ pet was spotted Animal Welfare Adrian Ruiz tting on tourists, and while spion one a balcony in Valladolid. will be more ‘animal friendly’. offered to clean the victim’s After police officers saw the animal “The maltreatment of aniket the other made off with jac‘pantheir ting intensely’ and could not break mals really upsets me,” added suitcase. in, Boas, who narrowly missed a firemen were called to rescue the The thieves, of Peruvian nationaseat on Teulada council with But the dog could not be saved,animal. lity, reportedly made €73,000 and it in the PSOE in the recent electhe scam. died of ‘suffocation due to strangulation’, tions. according to a vet. “I’m really praying something can finally be done.”

side’ of animal rights activists. “The daughter complained to A WORLD CLASS INTERNATIONAL

ONE of the UK’s most dangerous men has been learning Spanish as part of his plan to relocate to Spain on his release. Infamous 62-year-old taxi rapist John Worboys - who now goes by the name John Derek Radford - is hoping to start a new life here, when released. But the sex offender, who was set to be released this year, may spend a lot more time behind bars at Wakefield prison after a massive public uproar. “He had all the books and DVDs and was becoming pretty fluent,” a source at the prison told a UK newspaper. “He wanted to eventually live in Spain where, worryingly, he’d be totally anonymous and God only knows what he’d get up to out there mixing with tourists. “He had also changed his name so he could slip under the radar.” Worboys was jailed in 2009 for a spate of sex assaults on 12 women in London. He could have obtained permission to travel abroad from probation officers after a Parole Board deemed him to be no longer a danger. But the decision is expected to be reversed when he goes in front of a judge to be sentenced in September after he admitted attacks on four more women.

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NEWS IN BRIEF Squatter victory A GROUP of squatters and gypsies who overran the luxury Mirador Monte Pedrera apartment complex in Denia have faced an eviction order after 23 defendants appeared in court last week.

Stripped A BRITISH stag partier, 26, has claimed he was drugged and robbed of ₤5,000 after being offered a shot during a lapdance at a Benidorm strip club.

Justice GUARDIA Civil have arrested Dutchman Jan Fasen, 68, at his home in Calpe after a Paris court sentenced him in absence to two years for his involvement as the ‘ring leader’ of the 2013 horse meat sandal.

Watching you DRONES from the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) will begin denouncing drivers who violate traffic regulations and road safety, starting Thursday, August 1.

CRIME

August 1st - August 14th 2019

A new low

Machismo murderer A BELGIAN expat is being held without bail for allegedly murdering his wife on the Costa Blanca. The 61-year-old is accused of stabbing his lover, 57, in the thorax before turning the blade on himself in a suicide attempt. The horrific attack happened in Calpe, before the woman’s lifeless body was found on the floor by her

daughter. The couple, both of Belgian nationality, are understood to have been registered in Calpe for just four months. It has been recorded as the 1,009th gender-motivated murder since numbers of women killed by their partners or ex-partners began to be noted in Spain in 2003.

From front

SCENE: of alleged brutal slaying in Calpe

Without a trace British-run currency exchange gets hit by ‘professional’ thieves in Calpe who left behind no clues A BRITISH-run post office and currency exchange has been left shocked after ‘professional’ thieves stole €9,000 in broad daylight. Postal Connections, in

EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt

Calpe, suffered the break-in at 2pm on a Sunday afternoon when a hole was blasted out behind their Eurochange exchange booth. The criminal gang then ‘overrode’ the code to the safe and made off with the cash of all different currencies. “I walked round to the booth on Monday BREAK-IN: On Brit business

‘VULNERABILITY’: Thieves smashed down wall and hacked safe

morning, as normal, and found it completely ransacked,” Heidi Bingham, co-owner of the business, told the Olive Press. “It was such a shock, there were money bags everywhere and the safe wide open.” She said the thieves entered through a ‘cleaning cupboard’ in an apartment block next door. The gang had prepared ready-cut ‘toilet roll’ to slide over the CCTV cameras. Bingham, 43, believed they may have escaped suspicion

by posing as ‘plumbers’ or ‘concierges’ for the apartments. Guardia Civil said the criminals had used a special device to scramble the code to open the safe. “Anytime is a bad time for this to happen, but right now everybody’s trying to change money,” Bingham added. “More than anything it’s the vulnerability you feel when someone gets past your alarms.” There are currently no suspects, according to Guardia Civil.

Find my phone FOUR thieves have been arrested in Benidorm after they were caught leaving an apartment with four suitcases of stolen smartphones. The Spanish-Moroccan group reportedly targeted British tourists who were enjoying nights out in the resort. Policia Nacional seized 74 mobiles from their suitcases before locking the squad up ahead of a trial. Police opened an investigation following a slew of denuncias concerning mobile phone thefts while victims were distracted. The suspects, aged 19-25, reportedly used apps to find accommodation around Alicante and avoid registering their names to any one address.

HAUL: Stolen mobiles, many from Brits

source said. Renovations to their villa on the Montgo Massif appeared out of nowhere. First-class flights across the pond suddenly became their staple holidays, where beforehand, the fraudulent mother and father had reportedly needed their ‘parents to help them out’ financially. “We were convinced this money was all coming from the old couple, and we frantically tried to warn their family,” another source close to the Scammells told the Olive Press. But justice still took six years to be enacted. The pair reportedly denied their charges in court, claiming the Dutch family had allowed them to remain with the money. The son of the now deceased elderly pair, however, testified this had never been the case. “There’s a special place in hell for taking advantage of the sick and the elderly,” the source close to the family said. “Our intention in coming forward isn’t to name and shame, but to stop this despicable atrocity from ever happening again.”

Daylight trickery A BRITISH man has been arrested after staging a robbery in Benidorm. The 45-year-old made a falsified denuncia claiming two thugs had assaulted him from behind and knocked him unconscious. In the imaginary tussle, the thieves robbed a watch worth €8,900, a phone and bank cards. The man also claimed €2,170 had been taken from his account. But CCTV records above the Benidorm cashpoint showed the very same man extracting the money on five different occasions over a space of two days. He will appear before a judge.

Baby on board! A TODDLER had a near-miss with a flying bottle of gin as a stag party en route to Alicante turned rowdy. Passengers on the Vueling flight complained of drunken behaviour from a group of 25 to 30 men, who scared children on board by loudly joking about the plane crashing. A steward reportedly asked the group to calm down, but continued to serve them spirits even after the plane ran out of beer. Esther Jenkins, 44, said: “They also had a large speaker with them and thought it would be funny to start playing music as we landed.” A spokeswoman from Vueling said: “We are sorry to hear about Mrs. Jenkins’ experience on board.”

NEWS

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TRUMPKID: Tiffany

TRUMP and Obama will be holidaying in the same Spanish hotspot this summer - but luckily there’s zero drama forecast. That’s because the ever-classy former First Lady Michelle, 55, and Donald Trump’s youngest and most-lowkey daughter Tiffany, 24, will be representing the presidential clans in Mallorca. Tiffany, a law student at Georgetown, will travel to the Balearic island next week to enjoy a seven-day holiday after stopping off in Ibiza. Michelle has also opted to return

FACE OFF to the island at the invitation of her friend James Costos - the former US ambassador to Spain. The country has been the destination of choice for members of the Trump family in the past with Tiffany having visited Marbella as recently as 2017, staying at the luxurious Puente Romano. Barack and Michelle have been seen in Mallorca on several occasions, with one trip ending on a lunch with the royal family.

EX-FIRST LADY: Michelle

Black Eyed Tease

August 1st - August 14th 2019

Making a splash

Raft of American and British superstars spotted dodging heat on luxury Spanish yachts ROBBIE Williams, Shaquille ‘Shaq’ O'Neal and Katy Perry have been snapped enjoying sun-soaked getaways in Spain. Popstar Perry, 34, was seen jumping off a boat during a romantic escape with fiance Orlando Bloom, 42, in Mallorca. The Roar singer and Pirates of the Caribbean actor are expected to tie the knot later this year after getting engaged on Valentine’s day.

EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt

CROWDS: In Barcelona

Messi night BARCELONA talisman Lionel Messi has been escorted from a club after a fellow reveller ‘tried to fight’ him. Shocking footage shows a burly bouncer usher the 32-year-old and his stunning wife Antonela Roccuzzo, 31, through crowds at Ibiza’s Ushuaia. The footie ace had been partying at the exclusive spot with fellow Barca stars Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Monaco’s Cesc Fabregas. A video posted to social media was captioned: “A guy in the Ibiza party tried to fight with Messi. “Messi is unharmed and was safely escorted out of the area by the security guards.”

Costa Blanca guitar workshop Guitarras Bros has provided guitars for The Black Eyed Peas

A GUITAR workshop on the Costa Blanca has exclusively revealed to the Olive Press they are providing instruments for The Black Eyed Peas’ eighth studio album. Adam Broseta, from Guitarras Bros in Gata de Gorgos, travelled to Madrid in July to provide guitars to producer Andy Clay and to the superstar group. Pictures shown to this paper show original members Will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo, but without Fergie.

Courting favour

RAFAEL Nadal has been spotted having a pick-me-up lunch with Spain’s former monarchs just a few weeks after being knocked out of Wimbledon by rival Roger Federer. The tennis ace, 33, was joined by fiance Xisca Pellero, 31, as he enjoyed a slap up meal with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. The Mallorquin hosted the royals at his tennis centre on his home island, where his wife-to-be even joined the

CHEESE: Nadal all smiles with royals ex-Spanish king for a game of table football. The 12-time French Open champion stepped out in a crisp white shirt and blue chinos for the lunch, which featured local fish and wine.

Where dreams begin

Perry rocked her new peroxide-blonde hair while enjoying a spot of snorkelling in the Balearic hotspot. Meanwhile, NBA legend Shaq, 47, was pictured living it up on a yacht near the neighbouring island of Formentera with his new squeeze and Texas model Dani Nicole. The southern stunner sported a skimpy black bikini while

FINE TUNED: Guitarras Bros and Black Eyed Peas Former The Voice Philippines finalist Jessica Reynoso, who joined the group in 2018 after Fergie’s departure, was instead photographed clutching a Guitarras Bros instrument. “Our guitars have a fantastic sound quality for the studio, which is what will.i.am liked,” Broseta, 33, told the Olive Press. He said the handcrafted guitars, all made in the family-run company’s workshop, use specially selected woods from as far as Peru and Madagascar. “Some of the wood we are using has been aged for over 100 years - this is not something you can mass-produce,” Broseta added. Guitarras Bros are famed throughout Spain for their high-quality guitars, which

can range in price from €200 to €12,000, depending on customisation of rosettes and machine heads. Musicians known to own a model include Ed Sheeran, as well as Spanish flamenco stars such as Diego el Cigala. The news of The Black Eyed Peas meet comes after the Olive Press revealed how Amy Winehouse wrote three songs from Back to Black on a Guitarras Bros instrument while holidaying in Alicante in 2006. The Black Eyed Peas released their seventh album, Masters of the Sun: Vol 1, in 2018 after an eight-year hiatus. Broseta said he ‘didn’t know’ when the new album would drop, nor what it will be called. Oceanview Estates Ctra. Moraira-Calpe, No 142 03724 Moraira tel: (+34) 676 674 111 info@oceanviewestates.es www.oceanviewestates.es

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Shaq posed for pictures in huge blue trunks before diving into the sea. Ex-Take That frontman Williams was also seen on a relaxing family boat trip with wife Ayda Field off Formentera. The 45-year-old Brit pop legend showed off his famous tattoos in bright blue shorts while Field showed of her abs in a miniscule green bikini.

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Denia residents fear the new animal shelter will begin ‘sacrificing’ helpless dogs

Your reporters, here to help on the Costa Blanca News Editor Laurence Dollimore and Reporter Joshua Parfitt Contact them with any stories or news on 951 273 575 or email newsdesk@theolivepress.es (Personal contacts on page 6)

A PETITION has been launched in Denia to stop the municipal dog shelter from becoming an alleged ‘kill station’. The SAVE APAD petition claims a new business, Serproanimal SL, will ‘sacrifice’ rescued dogs if a new owner is not found within two months. It comes as the Asociacion Protectora de Animales de Denia (APAD) lost out to Serproanimal SL in a tender for a twoyear contract with Denia Town Hall. “We need to fight for the dogs, and stop Serproanimal SL from gaining control,” the Change.org petition reads. The for-profit Seproanimal SL

NEWS

Dogs for slaughter EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt

from Castellon already operates in 59 town halls in the Valencian community. APAD is a not-for-profit charity operating as Denia’s animal shelter since 2012, but this year did not win the tender due to an administrative error. The charity’s secretary told the Olive Press the volunteer team behind the bid ‘misunderstood’ financial rules of the proposal as they were ‘not clearly specified’. The volunteers and team of seven workers are now set to lose €137,000 due to the mis-

FIGHTING: The APAD charity

take. “We have contributed massively to help Denia see a decline in abandoned animals in our

Bull falls into ravine A BULL with flaming horns was rescued after it broke loose from its enclosure and charged into a ravine in Sagunto, near Valencia. The creature had its hornss set alight as part of the ‘bous embolado’ festival during summer celebrations in Sagunto. At around 4.30am, it reportedly escaped during a bull-running event while panicked festival goers

August 1st - August 14th 2019

looked on. The bull charged a man sitting on a fence above the Palancia river for safety, before tumbling down into the dry riverbed. A nine-hour rescue effort involved the Guardia Civil, SEPRONA, Policia Local, Policia Nacional, Proteccion Civil, Forest Guards, ambulances and a veterinarian, among other personnel.

RAGING BULL: Rescue of fiery beast A SEPRONA agent shot the bull with a tranquiliser dart from inside a Policia Local car. The animal was eventually rescued, but not before charging the police car.

28-year history,” the charity’s secretary, who asked to remain nameless, said. “For us this isn’t about profit; we make sure every dog gets a new home.” A spokesperson for Serproanimal SL told the Olive Press he found the dispute ‘nonsense’. “The decision to sacrifice animals depends upon the contract given out by Denia Town Hall,” he said. The tender document shown to this newspaper stipulates that ‘unadopted dogs’ may be killed after ‘two months’. A spokesman for Denia Town Hall said he was ‘unaware’ the approval existed in the tender. “The councillor for public safety Javier Escoto wants to sort this out as soon as possible,” he added.

Warming! VALENCIA will experience temperatures similar to Miami by 2050, according to a study on climate change. The median annual temperature will rise in Spain’s third-largest city from 24.1°C to 25.5 °C in the next 30 years. This increase will offer Valencia annual warmth similar to that currently experienced in the Florida destination, and in Abuja, Nigeria. The study, published in in the Plos One journal last February, said the Spanish city’s climate itself will become aligned with that of Bangalore or Mandalay.

Alert

To gather the results, researchers looked at half a million cities the world over. They found London’s climate will become more like that currently in Barcelona, and Madrid like Tehran. What this warming means for Valencia in the hottest month of year, however, is an average temperature increase from 30.4 °C to 32.9 °C. It also means the yellow alert issued by the Spanish Met Office as Valencia’s interior reached 38 °C will become increasingly common.

NEWS

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Brexitgate HUNDREDS of thousands of Brits living in Spain could sue the UK in the event of a no-deal Brexit, a leading Conservative MP has claimed. Alberto Costa, Tory MP for South Leicestershire, said the next prime minister faces ‘an enormous, unprecedented amount’ of legal action if the rights of EU citizens residing in Britain are not protected within legislation before October 31. But Costa also warned that British expats living in Europe could be unfairly penalised if the next leader fails to secure their rights too. Brits living abroad would have a strong case to sue, Costa warned, if they unfairly lose their rights to pensions, healthcare and longterm residency. In a missive to Britain’s next PM, sent before the deciding vote, Costa wrote: “No peacetime British government has ever abrogated the rights enjoyed by over a million of its own citizens overnight. “As a former UK government lawyer I can reasonably foresee an enormous, unprecedented amount of litigation raised by British citizens.”

August 1st - August 14th 2019

Yacht to be kidding

British tourist hurt his neck on the same slide that left David Briffaut paralysed A BRITISH tourist has told the Olive Press how he suffered a neck injury just one month before David Briffaut was left paralysed on Aqualandia’s Splash ride. Ryan Ball, 37, cut his neck after entering the pool at the bottom of the Benidorm park’s slide on June 2. He said the lifeguards ‘did not correct his position’ before riding the Splash, for which visitors use a specially designed mat. “It’s a really dangerous slide,”

DANGER: Slide info and (right) Victim Ryan Ball

Danger slide Ball, from Nottinghamshire, told the Olive Press. “You go so fast you forget how to ride, unless someone tells

Brick and mortars A BRITISH expat has discovered a pair of mortar bombs in the basement of his villa in southern Spain. The unnamed man in Fortuna, Murcia, reported the explosives to Guardia Civil before bomb disposal officers were immediately sent to the scene. However neither bombs were found to contain explosives or detonators, suggesting they had once been collectors items. People in similar cases have been known to panic and drop the potentially fatal device into their nearest police station, according to the Guar-

you. “When I hit the water my body flew forwards. “I suffered minor whiplash, but I was one of the lucky ones.” He said there was a sign at the top of the stairs to the Splash informing of the correct riding position, but that the lifeguard ‘didn’t seem to care’. It comes as David Briffaut, 23, PHEW: Bombs were dormant broke two vertebrae in dia Civil. a freak acThis has led the police force to issue cident as he simple instructions to the public... if slid headyou find an explosive device - don't first down touch it. the ride on

July 8. Footage appeared to show David’s head snap forward as he hit the water, due to his elevated position on the mat. He reportedly lost consciousness before coming round and saying ‘I can’t feel my legs’. He was rushed to an Alicante hospital and put on life support in intensive care after it was discovered he had damaged his spinal cord. David’s uncle Mark Pooley told the Olive Press: “Our priority at the moment is focusing on David, but we have always said that there needs to be a full investigation into the accident.” A fundraiser set up for David’s recovery hit its £75,000 target this week. He was expected to be flown home via air ambulance yesterday. A spokesperson for Aqualandia said the waterpark was ‘not responsible’ for the tragic incident as David ‘had not followed the lifeguard’s rules’.

YOU know that moment when you're on a super yacht and wished you had some sushi to go with your champagne? Well...neither do we, but if you ever find yourself in this conundrum, there's an app for that! It comes as food delivery service Deliveroo is extending its jetski delivery service across Spain's most popular coasts. The so-called 'aquariders' will bring food from your favourite restaurants to your floating vessel. The app began delivering to beaches last year but has added the yacht service for this summer. The new offering will be available in the waters in more than a dozen Spanish cities, including Alicante.

Car tragedy A ONE-YEAR-OLD baby has been named among three fatalities following a tragic car crash near El Campello on the Costa Blanca. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate the child, without success, according to sources from the Emergency Information and Coordination Center (CICU). A 61-year-old man from the Netherlands has been confirmed as another fatality, while the baby was of Belgian nationality. The identity of the third person killed is not yet known.

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FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

After being locked up alongside murderers and ETA terrorists for seven months without char

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than 500,000 people a month.

OPINION Slide from hell There is no denying that a certain kind of Brit on holiday will get hurt in a stupid prank and try to frame Spain. In June, this paper reported on a tourist who tried to jump onto a branch and broke his collarbone (Brit claim he ‘slipped’ by pool to reclaim to recover 37,000 euro hospital bill FAILS after video shows him jumping into a tree). But what happened at Aqualandia is not so straightforward. David Briffaut, 23, has been left paralysed from the neck down after he did not follow the rules on a slide at the Benidorm waterpark. The park have denied all responsibilities in communications with this paper. But the rebuttal comes as another Brit hurt, Ryan Ball, called this paper to say he too had hurt his neck due to alleged negligence. There is no smoke without fire. Yes, there are rules - but would you not stop a child stepping out into oncoming traffic just because they are not obeying road safety? Answers must be sought, and if the lifeguard is found not to be correcting riders’ positions it must clear David’s name.

Saving seahorses When Brits move to Spain for retirement, for work or even for play, we bring many skills with us. And when we work together with Spanish organisations fighting for a better world, magical things can happen. So it is with the story of a metal detectors’ club on the Costa Blanca who are helping to save seahorses by clearing lead from the Mar Menor. Cristina Mena, president of Asociacion Hippocampus, said the British club was doing wonders to save the threatened habitat. It is examples like that should inspire us to give back to this sunny coastline we all love, whatever way we can.

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2012 - 2019 Named the best English language publication in Andalucia by the Rough Guides group.

August 1st - August 14th 2019

FREE MAN: Robert with his Olive Press front pages EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

‘It could happen to anyone’

Robert was on a business trip to Gibraltar and working for the Ministry of Defence when his life changed forever

OBERT Mansfield-Hewitt shook with terror in his bed after being woken by a huge crash and the sound of military-style boots crashing on the marble floor. A squad of armed Spanish police burst into his rented apartment shouting orders, telling him to get out of bed with his hands up. The 51-year-old MOD worker, who walks with a cane due to a chronic liver condition and atrophy, was dragged down the stairs and thrown onto his face on the ground outside. While being cuffed, his cheek etched into the gravel, he saw a Moroccan- looking man staring right at him, also being arrested. “I couldn’t even speak, I was in such a state of shock,” Robert, an electrical engineer who has worked with the British government for decades, recalled this week, “they were saying something about drugs and they were just screaming at me, it was terrifying.” The well-connected Brit, who knew Ted Heath and is pals with the likes of the Earl of Cardigan, had been renting the room for a few days in San Roque, southern Spain, while working on a contract for the Ministry of Defence in Gibraltar. What he didn’t know, was that the adjoining garage was being used to store 1.5 tonnes of hashish - worth more than €2 million - and that he was now the main suspect. This was despite the fact that the owner of the property, a Gibraltarian, was previously convicted on drug-related charges on the Rock and that Chichester-born Robert, who has a PhD in Physics from Keele University, had no

CELLMATES: ETA terrorists and (inset top right) Kinahan member James Quinn

criminal record. Following the terrifying arrest on June 27 last He also has a long 20-year career working for year, Robert was taken to the local cells in La the British government. Linea, the town bordering Gibraltar, where In contrast, Abdel Nasser, the French citizen 3,000 people - or 5% of the population - work of Moroccan descent cuffed directly for drug traffickers. alongside Robert, had been “I phoned my assistant Pillie in caught in a sting operation try- He spent a night an absolute panic, all I could ing to break into the garage, get out was ‘they found drugs’ in the cells while a getaway driver waited and ‘help me help me’.” in a Volkswagen Phaeton outThe avid church goer, who before being side. suffers from chronic liver conThe driver somehow managed dragged before a dition Ascites, spent a night in to evade police on foot. the cells before being dragged judge Robert, who had never set foot in front of a judge the next day. in the garage and didn't even “The whole thing was a farce,” know of its existence, was simsaid Robert, “I was appointed ply arrested during a sweep of the attached a 19-year-old lawyer who seemed fresh out of house. college and she just seemed to agree with evAnd this is where the story gets terrifying, par- erything the judge said. ticularly with Spain supposedly being a close “They deemed me a flight risk, denied me bail ally of the UK. and took my passport and sent me to Botafuegos prison in Algeciras.” That night his body began to shut down and he was rushed to hospital. Suffering from delirium and an internal infection, he remained there for eight weeks before being returned to Botafuegos - home to ETA terrorists and murderers. Incredibly, Robert would be held there for a further five months before being formally Since our reports charged in January. on his freedom, Despite no concrete evidence connecting him Robert’s story has to the drugs, prosecutors were seeking more been reported in than four years in jail and an €8 million fine. the the Sun, the “It’s an absolute disgrace,” his assistant Pillie Daily Star, Daily Ford, 37, told the Olive Press from La Linea, Mirror, the Inde“Why hasn’t there been a warrant for the arpendent and The i rest of the owner of the property? How did the in the UK. getaway driver manage to get away? It just doesn’t make sense.” Robert did not get his day in court until May 27 of this year and was finally released on July 3 after a judge decided to drop the charges, more than a year after being locked up. During that time, Robert’s story appeared three times on the front of the local English newspaper the Olive Press, based near Marbella, which spoke to his MP in the UK and even the police and courts, who refuse to comment on the case. Abdel Nasser, meanwhile, was convicted of endangering public health and was sentenced to three years and 10 months plus 30 days to pay for the €8 million fine. For 10 months, along with Nasser, Robert was

Hitting headlines

FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es

rge for drugs found at a property that he did not own, Robert Mansfield-Hewitt warns... The garage where the drugs were found sat almost behind the property

August 1st - August 14th 2019

olive press online

that’s the

Spain and Gibraltar’s best English daily news website

ONLY WAY IS UP

HE Olive Press website continues to ascend to higher heights and this week has overtaken Think Spain - the online expat self-help site which has been running for 20 years. We are now ranked at 125,405th place in the world, having soared by another 12,000 places in just two weeks, according to Amazon’s Alexa. com. Tens of thousands of readers from Finland to the US and Russia have been reading our coverage of the latest news from across Spain, sending us even further to the top of the pack. With an average 50,000 visitors a day from Spain, the UK, Gibraltar, Scandinavia, Germany and beyond, we can promise local businesses comprehensive exposure to tens of thousands of potential clients every week. This is a healthy mix of local expats, as well as thousands of wealthy tourists every day. Complimented by our 20,000 loyal Facebook followers and 7,000 Twitter fans, there are few people interested in Spain, who are not being reached. Why is YOUR BUSINESS still spending far too much on Google adwords and other inferior websites, magazines and newspapers, when the Olive Press GUARANTEES results? Send us an email today at sales@theolivepress. es or call us at 00 34 951273575 so we can find you a better, more effective way to market your business.

Photos by Regina Lankenau

Robert was relaxing in his rented room here when armed police stormed in

SCENE: The property where Robert was renting a room for just over a week

forced to survive in one of Spain’s most notorious lockups. “The first two nights I was absolutely trembling with terror,” he recalls, “Never in my wildest nightmares had I ever imagined being in such a place. “I have never been in trouble with the law, my job with the government doesn’t allow it. “I’m a very gentle soul and recovering alcoholic, I would never get involved with drugs.” Robert, an avid piano player and composer of classical music, was offered freedom if he admitted guilt, but refused, knowing his career could be over with a criminal record. Luckily, he was spared the violence and fights that were often a daily occurence. “I’m older and not 100% mobile so I wasn’t really a target.” He started a poker club and a language school and became well liked among the inmates - which included infamous Irish mafia member James Quinn, who was convicted of aiding an assassination last year and received a 22-year sentence. “I treated everyone in there equally. They’re not all monsters, a lot of them have been forced into crime by circumstance. And I’m a great believer in making the best out of a bad situation. “When I told them I was getting out they were all cheering and clapping and tried to lift me up in the air.” Robert claims a majority of the prisoners were foreign, mostly Moroccan and South American, and many were locked up following a first time offence. Robert also suspects foul play in the handling of his case. It comes after separate documents seen by the Olive Press detailing the drug seizure appear to show two different recorded weights. The initial court judgement reads that there were 1.5 tonnes seized while the final judgement given to Robert on his release declares 1.3 tonnes. “Someone lost a lot of money that day but someone also made some,” said Robert. Corruption is not unheard of in the Campo de Gibraltar region, a grouping of towns on the border of the British Overseas Territory. It’s an area swamped by gangs taking advantage of Spain’s southernmost coast being the first port of call for hashish from Morocco and cocaine from South America. Corruption among police - among the lowest

TOP DOG: (Above) Olive Press’ positon in the world, higher than (below) Think Spain COMMON SENSE: The property was close to the border which Robert crossed daily for work

paid in the EU - is rife, with officers regularly Emsworth in Hampshire as he is months behind in the rent. arrested as part of anti-drug operations. Robert is weighing up taking legal action His good standing with the housing associagainst the state but for now is focusing on ation has meant they have held back on an eviction notice despite not having received getting home. He will fly from Malaga to London Gatwick rent for more than six months. on Thursday where he plans to take a few Locals there have now started a GoFundMe page to help Robert ‘get back on his feet’. months break. “Mummy is very pleased and she will be my first point of call. “My first call when I got out was to my sister who had gathered all the family together for a celebratory breakfast so I was able to speak to everyDEPOTS one which was fantastic. JAVEA MURCIA “We are just so relieved this nightmare is over, it’s MALAGA going to take me some LONDON MIDLANDS time to recover mentally and physically. UK: 0208 090 4292 “I’ve had work offers but SPAIN: 965 79 46 82 I’ve had to turn them down because I just can’t get in the headspace to work at the moment.” Robert, who helps his church cook for the homeless on Saturday mornings and plays the organ for mass on SunDELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR days, is also now being forced to battle to hold www.way2goboxes.com onto his home back in

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Off the rails

RENFE has announced it will cancel 1,152 trains across four days of strikes on July 31, August 14, 30 and September 1. Some 707 of these will be passenger trains and 445

UNDER FIRE: Sanchez

Ped-woe SPAIN is on course for the fourth election in as many years after its parliament rejected Pedro Sanchez’s bid to become prime minister. Known as the ‘comeback kid,’ the 47-year-old has so far only managed to secure the backing of his own 123 PSOE lawmakers. “I want to be Spain’s prime minister, but not at any price,” said Sanchez “If in order to become prime minister I need to give up on my principles, if I need to form a government knowing it won’t be useful for the country, then it won’t be done now,” he continued. Sanchez now has until mid-September to win the backing for his premiership to avoid fresh elections. If this fails a new election will be held on November 10 2019. However a repeat of the last round is ever likely, with a poll conducted this week showing PSOE would win just under 42% of the vote if an election was held tomorrow.

commercial. Workers are walking out over the increasingly recurring change in management. Travelers affected can swap their ticket for another nearby departure date or time at no additional cost.

August 1st - August 14th 2019

AN expat is pleading for help after a 60-year-old talking parrot was stolen from his restaurant on the Costa Blanca. Thieves broke into the Tenere restaurant in Denia last week, destroying the cigarette machines, stealing the

Find him!

cameras and trashing the interior. The criminals also made off with the resident African grey parrot, called Einstein, who has not been seen

We’ve still got it

New two-part series follows elderly Brits still bent on living the high life in Benidorm GRACE cackles loudly as she glugs a bucket of booze through a penis-shaped straw while wearing a red satin hat with ‘BAD GIRL’ emblazoned across the front. But Grace isn’t a 25-year-old

on her first foreign holiday - she’s an 85-year-old OAP who uses a mobility scooter and has come to Benidorm on a six-week bender. The Liverpudlian widow spends her evenings riding a rodeo bull on the strip and downing shots with younger men. But Grace is THE British pound has sunk well below €1 not alone. at the UK’s biggest airports just as hordes of A new twoBrits are set to travel to Spain. part TV series, At the ICE desk at Heathrow airport last Benidorm: night, an Olive Press reader was quoted £117 Brits on the for buying €100 – making each pound worth Pull, revealed just 85 cents. Grace is just According to reports, at Gatwick airport on one of one of Monday night the rate was £1 = €0.90. many pensionWith commission added to a €100 transacers who live tion, the cost in sterling was £116. and holiday in The currency market has marked down sterthe infamous ling as the prospect of a no-deal Brexit apholiday resort pears increasingly likely. - and who have It means the exchange rate costs are at a twono intention year high. of growing old gracefully.

Taking a pound-ing

BAD GIRL: Grace in new show about Benidorm Brits Other characters on the show, Benidorm resident Gary, aka which aired on Channel 5 last ‘Johnny Bongo’, who’s hopweek, are Mr Benidorm who ing to resurrect his drumowns the Union Jack 2 bar ming career and is taking to and rides around dressed in the stage for the first time in a red suit emblazoned with almost 17 years. hundreds of British flags. He said: “At the end of the Tattooed granny rapper day, anything’s got to be betJeanie B, 65, has also come to ter than living in rainy ManBenidorm from the UK to au- chester. “Sometimes the fordition at a cabaret club. eign women here are better She enjoys Benidorm because because they don’t know what it’s the ‘party place of the uni- I’m talking about. “If they’re verse’ and she is the ‘greatest English, they tend to find I party animal the world has can be a little bit crude.” ever seen’. Part two of the series is due to Similarly in love with the air on Thursday, August 1, at limelight is 59-year-old 10.15 pm UK time.

MISSING: Einstein since. "Einstein has been in the owner's care for 23 years after a previous owner fell ill and could not keep him anymore," Michael Kosok, manager of the restaurant, told the Olive Press. "He was an absolute favourite of Tenere's customers. "He could say 'hello' and 'bye bye', he could whistle, and even imitate dogs and cats. "He remembered people’s name - they're all heartbroken now he's gone." Kosok, 49, from Germany, said the parrot was most likely stolen on a 'whim'. He pleaded for expats and locals alike to keep an eye out for the beloved parrot. "Without papers it will be really hard to sell him legally," Kosok added. "If a parrot suddenly turns up at the house of someone you know, please ask where they got him from." If you have any information on Einstein, please call the Olive Press on +34 951 273 575.

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FERAL FELINES: Given Food

Feline good

CONTROVERSIAL street cat feeders in Javea will soon be given special IDs to carry on giving food to abandoned felines. It comes after the town hall officially recognised the roughly 35 cat colonies which exist in the Costa Blanca town - all of which have around 30 cats each. Anyone feeding these felines, who often live among ‘rubbish tips’, have faced the threat of fines and verbal abuse - until now. “This new councillor is listening to us and understands the situation,” president of the Javea Feral Cat Association, Elizabeth Trafford, told the Olive Press. Trafford said it is still illegal to feed street cats in the majority of Javea, but the new councillor for services, Rita Berruti, has issued posters permitting the practise in designated areas. Following meetings with the police, the town hall will now plan to provide ID cards to helpers. Trafford added that feeding these abandoned creatures was only a ‘stopgap’ until a municipal cattery could be set up to permanently rehome them.

Save Our Seahorses! A British metal detector club is battling to save seahorses on the Costa Blanca A BRITISH metal detecting club has launched a campaign to save endangered seahorses on the Costa Blanca. Two teams from the Asociacion de Anglo Parlantes (ADAPT) spend every Monday, Wednesday and Friday scouring the beaches of the Mar Menor saltwater lagoon, near Cartagena. The hobbyists collect lead weights discarded by fishermen, which have a toxic effect upon endangered seahorses. “It’s a far cry from the dammers that think all metal de-

August 1st - August 14th 2019

Grass war

EXCLUSIVE By Simon Wade & Joshua Parfitt

tectorists are looters and up to no good,” club leader Rod Toms told the Olive Press. “For the responsible detectorist this what we really do - we are not bad people.” The club has collected nearly 50kg of lead since July 2018, which they donate to the local Asociacion Hippocampus. This Spanish conservation organisation then melts the toxic metal and resells it to fund seahorse breeding development. “ADAPT’s help is extremely

HOBBYISTS: Collect lead in bid to save seahorses valuable to creating a circular Mena, told the Olive Press. economy,” president of Asoci- She said with the help of acion Hippocampus, Cristina SCUBA diving schools, her association has cleaned up 500kg of lead from the Mar Menor. The ecologically important site had all its blue flags A CHIRINGUITO on the Costa Blanca has found a stripped in 2017 due to ramgenius way to help keep its beaches clean. pant pollution. The Chiringuito Azul, in Denia, is giving punters a She said that acidification due free beer for each cupful of cigarette butts collectto lead - and other contamied from the Marineta Casiana beach. nants - significantly affected the The campaign, started in July, has been taken up seahorse’s reproductive cycle. by chiringuitos across Spain this year. “The metal detectors play a Beach bars in Andalucia and Murcia are reporthugely beneficial role in helpedly also taking part. ing us save the seahorses,” Mena added.

Buttloads of beer

SWAP: Beer for butts

RESIDENTS have taken to social media to express disgust over piles of posidonia seagrass so thick they 'can't get to the sea'. One resident in Denia, Sabela Miñana, said the smell was so bad she 'couldn't stand even being close' to the beach. Another, Pepita Caselles Mut, said the beaches of the Costa Blanca destination had 'never been so dirty and abandoned'. The complaints come after Denia's socialist mayor, Vicent Grimalt, clashed with the Popular Party (PP) over the Mediterranean seagrass. "It seems incredible that, knowing what posidonia does for the environment, you still have the obsession that it's a form of rubbish," Grimalt said this week. He added that posidonia is not a 'seaweed', but a Mediterranean plant that plays a vital role in cleaning the seawater. "People need to be made aware of this - in Formentera, for example, posidonia is no longer collected," Grimalt added. Mut retaliated however that the residents near to the Alamadrava and Les Rotes beaches had a 'right' to go swimming.

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August 1st - August 14th 2019

Christ alive!

Photos by: Ian Theobold

MOORISH: Influence celebrated at Javea festival

“JAVEA is now Christian!” With these words the Moros y Cristianos festival celebrated its dramatic finale from atop a makeshift castle near the town’s port. Week-long celebrations featured everything from honouring Saint James with flowers to mobile discos in the early hours. But the most iconic event was the stunning procession through the town of

GIG GUIDE

groups of men and women depicting glamourised caricatures from the Moorish civilisation on the Iberian peninsular. “The festival celebrates the amazing Moorish influence upon our culture before the reconquista,” a spokesperson for Moros i Cristians de Xabia said. The annual festival takes place in Javea every summer and culminates in a choreographed scuffle to reclaim the key to Javea.

Becky BB - 10.30pm

ALTEA/ALBIR: The Church Bar - The Fly 9.30pm

DENIA: Paddy O'Connell Bar, - Dirty Fingers 11.45pm JAVEA: Le Gourmand Rte, - Mike P. Summer 8.00 pm

CALPE: Bar Central, Rockin 6 Trio - 9.30pm DENIA: Paddy O'Connell Bar,- Capital 90 11.45pm

Marbella-born Stranger things star settles for second place as series is knocked off Netflix most watched ranking by Spanish show

GANDIA: Hotel Gandia Palace - Day Kizkoma Music Festival - Live Music, Beach and Pool Parties (All Weekend) JAVEA: Novas Rte. Costa Nova , - McLucas 8.00pm MORAIRA: Ope Club, Route 66 - 9.00pm PEDREGUER: Black Flame Rte - Friday Night with Larry - 7.00pm, SATURDAY 3RD AUGUST ALBIR : The Stone Bar Karaoke Night - 09.30pm BENISSA: Oceana Club, - Adam Daniels - 8.00pm

SCREEN WARS: (Left) Money Heist and (right) Stranger Thing’s Brown

at the Royal Mint of Spain. The third season of Money Heist aired on July 19 and picks up two years after the enough and the series has so far won Best Drama at the International Emmy Awards and the Premios Fénix. Fifteen year old Millie is the daughter of a former expat couple, Robert and Kelly Brown, once based in Marbella.

Millie moved to London when she was four, before moving to Orlando in Miami, in 2011, where her parents started a tooth-whitening business. She shot to fame in 2016 as the lead character in the Netflix fantasy drama. The shows third season which aired at the beginning of July has racked up more than 40 million views.

Planet Alicante THIS is one of the winning photographs in a new exhibition celebrating Alicante’s most stunning natural landscapes. The Salt Lake Calpe shot won fifth place in the Al-

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Spoiler

THE Netflix series Stranger Things, starring Costa-born actress Mille Bobby Brown, has been overtaken as the most bingewatched series on Netflix. Brown, who plays Eleven in the cult Netflix series, has had to settle for second place despite remaining at the top of the viewing charts for eight consecutive weeks. The top spot has been taken by Money Heist, a Spanish show which follows an attempted robbery

icante Natural 2019 competition, currently hosted at the Museum Arqueologico de Alicante (MARQ). Photographer Obarba, from Benidorm, said the flamboyance of flamingos

PERFECT: Shot of salt lake in Calpe took fifth place

at the salt lake in Calpe ‘perfectly transports the viewer to an African plain’. The competition, in its sixth year, aims to appreciate the ‘most emblematic landscapes’ of Alicante in order to raise awareness about conservation. “We are grateful to all the photographers who participate, whether they win or lose, since they help to protect our natural heritage through knowledge,” a spokesman for the competition said. The spokesman added a tree would be planted for each one of the 423 photographs submitted. The exhibition runs until the end of August, and is free to view.

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August 1st - August 14th 2019

Decanting history August 1st - August 14th 2019

Europe’s oldest known winepress is actually in DENIA and a new bodega is giving new life to a 2,700-year old tradition

T’S no coincidence the Montgo mountain holds sway over Marina Alta minds. If there is anywhere you would look out for Guardia Civil, or keep watch over what beaches the tourist hoards are headed to, you would go to the Montgo. And this is something the ancient Iberians had in mind back in the 7th century BC. “The Montgo was the perfect place from which to defend yourself,” Mara Baño, co-owner of the Les Freses bodega in Jesus Pobre, tells the Olive Press. Baño explained the ancient Greek name for Denia was Hemeroskopeion, which translates as ‘watchtower’, and indicates the presence of a settlement somewhere high up. It is believed this place is now known as the ruins of Alt de Benimaquia - the site of the oldest known winepress in Europe. “I am from Denia, but we have no idea about the rich history we have on our very mountainside,” Mara, 43, says while clutching a bottle of wine

ANCIENT: Settlements of Alt de Benimaquia built by Iberians in 7th century BC that would come to change to her life. “We’ve come so far with modern “Nine years ago while studying oenol- technology, but wine is still an anogy in Valencia we travelled to France cient element that has accompanied to learn about pruning. humans for millennia,” she says. “A French winemaker grabbed me, “Nowadays you can just turn on the he couldn’t believe it, ‘you’re from tap and find water, but back then you Denia? The site of the Alt de Beni- had to make your own hydration. maquia?’ this expert enthused. “These amphora were designed with “I’ve grown up handles so they could be hung before in Denia my a north window and kept at 14 whole life, been degrees all year round. to school here “It wasn’t just any old and eventual- jug, it was a fridge, and ly became a every single piece of it sommelier, but had a purpose.” when I found This purpose drove her out where I was to Catalunya, to one of truly from I just very few potters who went crazy.” could recreate for her The bottle of the clay wine-brewing wine she is jugs exactly like those holding bears found at Alt de Benithe image of a maquia. broken ampho- And this has in turn inra, rescued from spired Mara for the last the ruins just up decade, pushing her the hillside from on to produce organic her 14-hectare wines that saw her win the vineyard and ‘best white muscatel wine bodega beside of 2018’ from 372 contenders the CV-735. in an Alicante-wide award ceremony To Mara, this last June. c u r v e d - b o t - But the passion sparked by this retomed jug rep- suscitation of long-lost history very resents the nearly never happened. oldest form of Researching into the history of the Alt de winemaking in Benimaquia some nine years ago, Mara the whole of Eu- read it was a German historian who first rope. excavated the ruins back in 1961.

WINEPRESS: Foot-powered, the old way

She knew little more than that Denia was famous, and needed to find this historian. But she had no idea where he was or even if he was still alive. “I called up the Department of Science in Madrid, but they gave me nothing due to data protection laws. “All I had was the name Hermanfrid Schubert. “So I picked up a yellow pages for Berlin and started calling everyone with that name - until after twenty or thirty kick-backs I found him.” The distinguished historian divulged everything he knew about the Iberians on the young women falling deeper in love with her own hometown. “Working in a winery is truly a gift from the gods,” Mara tells me over a glass of her award-winning white wine, pointing out scents of orange blossom and aftertastes of fennel. “You get to meet so many fascinating people and it’s all wrapped up in the very heart of our culture.” Now 91, and speaking to the Olive Press from Berlin, Schubert could not have agreed more. “Civilisations throughout history have brewed concoctions or taken drugs to escape a little from this world,” he tells with the enthusiasm of a German Attenborough. “Wine making started in Egypt and was brought to Spain by the Phoenicians. “The native Iberians picked it up, and we carbon dated the site to the 7th century BC. “Making wine or beer has been a part of European culture ever since, and it makes me so happy that Les Freses is keeping the ancient traditions alive. “I’m an old man

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WINE TEAM: Mara Bano of Les Freses bodega and (below) German historian Hermanfrid Schubert

HIGH: On the Montgo mountains the perfect spot for a bodega now, and my discovery was 60 years for wine enthusiasts the world over, ago - it’s those who’ve come after and Mara now teaches school chilthat have done the real hard work.” dren about the history of their anIn his humility, cient town. Schubert admits that “My mission is to give the discovery of the the muscatel grape We have an winepress itself at Alt back its dignity,” Mara de Benimaquia was incredible culture says, now over a glass carried out in later exsweet, dark brown here that could of cavations in 1983 and mistela wine. 1990. disappear if we “Due to tourism, so But his initial discovmany people have are not careful sold their fathers’ and ery of turrets and ramparts laid the foundagrandfathers’ plots of tion for a site of now lands to developers. incredible importance. “But we have an incredible culture Both Les Freses and Denia Town Hall here that could disappear if we are offer regular guided tours to the site not careful.”

She sends me home with half a bottle of the white wine, cautioning me to keep it in the fridge and drink it with food, preferably cheese. (“I’m a real mouse when it comes to cheese,” she says guiltily.) But she also leaves a more important bit of advice: “Never forget, this wine is social.” Popping open the traditional cork, made from Castellon trees, later that night I tell the spellbinding story of the ancient wine that very nearly wasn’t. We escape a little from this world, and in the fascination keep alive one of Spain’s most enduring traditions.

August 1st - August 14th 2019

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August 1st - August 14th 2019 Check out our issues online at www.theolivepress.es Andalucia Issue 323 The

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Brexitgate

HUNDREDS of thousands of Brits UK living in Spain could sue the a in the event of a no-deal Brexit, leading Conservative MP has claimed. Alberto Costa, Tory MP for South Leicessaid tershire, the next prime minister faces ‘an enormous, unprecedented amount’ of legal action if the rights are of EU citizens residing in Britain benot protected within legislation fore October 31. But Costa also warned that British be expats living in Europe could unfairly penalised if the next leader fails to secure their rights too. a Brits living abroad would have strong case to sue, Costa warned, to if they unfairly lose their rights pensions, healthcare and long-term residency. In a missive to Britain’s next PM, sent before the deciding vote, Costa wrote: “No peacetime British government enhas ever abrogated the rights joyed by over a million of its own citizens overnight. “As a former UK government lawyer I can reasonably foresee an enorof mous, unprecedented amount litigation raised by British citizens.”

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is in the resort. a gem that shows no sign And then of losing its glimmer. there are the footbalThe country’s lers, largest pri- and including Glenn Hoddle vately-owned residential Glen Johnson, who have ‘su- bought homes per-state’ has long in Sotogrande. been the Internationally first port of call for renowned the cream of polo, European high society. golf and sailing, for its as well The radiance of as a burgeoning aire’s playground this million- scene, this ‘mini gastronomic Monaco’ of low-density living, lies in its high net worth residents stunning the hallmarks has all beaches and mountain of what is often drops, plus its amazing back- considered the top private remarina sort in and golf courses. Europe. Its privileged views Different from other of Gibraltar and theof the Rock resorts where talk ‘celebrity’ Rif moun- and of tains of Africa have fame is de rigueur, wealth been en- togrande in Sojoyed by the likes they like Tony Blair, the of ex-UK PM talk, appropriately,to keep such British royal Mention ‘sotto voce.’ family and countless the palpable sense European of celebrities, who don’t want to community, however, and you’ll be spotted, unlike discover how that venture to nearby those who leged enclave’s trueis the priviBut keep your eyesMarbella. “Sotogrande is a treasure. you might spot Irishpeeled and place. You get all very friendly the different motor rac- nationalities ing guru Eddie Jordan, here and they all former just Genesis keyboard player Mike an blend in,” estate agent BriNelson tells us at his office

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Fight back

are A SERIES of heated protests expected after Mallorca announced its first bullfight for years. Animal rights groups are furious after it was announced that Palma’s bullring will host its first corrida since July 2017. The fight next month is to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the construction of the Balearic Coliseum. be A total of eight bulls are set to slain by four of the world’s biggest El toreros; Juan Pedro Domecq, Juli, Jose Maria Manzanares and Roca Rey on August 9. “They will kill eight bulls to vindiblood violence, of cate this spectacle and death,” blasted a spokesman for animal rights group PACMA, which is likely to organise a demonstration against it taking place. “What a monstrosity,” he added. The fight has been made possible deafter Spain’s Supreme Court clared parts of a 2017 Balearic ban on the bloodsport as ‘unconstitutional’ last December.

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unarmed crew. “I was in a state of shock, everybody was in a state of shock. “How do you come on a ship like this with armed forces and such brute force. For what reason?” Asked whether his ship’s cargo contained anything illegitimate, the captain replied he ‘followed company procedures’ and knew nothing of the sanctions. Meanwhile the MoD has described the operation as a ‘standard boarding’ and added that British armed forces were ‘held to the highest standards of professional.’ The seizure of the tanker sparked a diplomatic crisis between the UK and Iran, with the British flagged Stena impera tanker by seized by Iranian forces in retaliation.

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BACK ON: Bullfighting in Palma

on the crewmembers and shouted ‘look forward, look forward,’ he continued “They didn’t care whether I was master… there was no regulations… we had 28

July 19th to August 1st 2019 Vol. 3 Issue 59 www.theolivepress.es

really What 30th event IS Michael Douglaspage 5 celebrating? Find out on

Jet setters...

As the summer hordes descend, the Olive Press looks at the entourages and bloated budgets of the rich and famous who regularly holiday in Spain

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DAYLIGHT ROBBERY

Crackdown sees nearly 20% of Palma’s terraces closed, leaving expat owners struggling to make ends meet

to The so-called ban made it illegal mistreat, injure or kill cattle and declared a maximum of three bulls per show. not It also declared that bulls could be in the ring for more than 10 minutes each. unAll three tenets were declared constitutional. By Timothy McNulty Other parts of the law will remain the in place, however, including banning of minors and alcohol conGOOD times Ahoy! ALMOST 200 terraces have been sumption at the event. Voted food the BEST Far right party Vox applauded it scythed from Palma’s vibrant few expat paper and drink scene over the last return of the bullfight, claiming in Spain recoverof beginning the ‘just weeks. was It comes after a draconian dictat ing’ lost freedoms. an ini“The ban was only introduced came into force removing from to please radical animal rights tial 179 outdoor seating areas resgroups,” insisted regional leader some of Palma’s most popular taurants. Jorge Campos. of me the Coming into effect in the middle Wasn’t “This event is the first step in the busiest time of year, the new recovery of our freedoms:” Palma Posters advertising the fight have regulations have already seen been plastered all over the capital lose an estimated 17% of its terraces, STANDING with many more expected to close. and the event is expected to be offiUP FOR the The new law to create more space SANTA cially registered with the city in last CATALINA for pedestrians was approved coming days. July despite a hard fought campaign launched by the Olive Press to protect the livelihoods and businesses. “It’s a really awful law and it’s scary because this season has been very quiet as a result,” Alex Giannandrea a of highly-rated A Casa Mia, in Santa hree Lionsrules, pavements have to be pub Under the Tnew Catalina, told the Olive Press this minimum of 2.5 metres free of any obstructions, week. leaving little space for tables. “Naturally customers have been As the Olive Press reported in February 2018 up for Santa complaining, they want to sit outbut when we launched our Standing being side and enjoy the good weather campaign - the new rule was only comCatalina locals they can’t. 15:36 16/06/2017 now 1 introduced after a few disgruntled Untitled-1.pdf “It’s a ridiculous law and it’s driving plained about noise. away business.” PROTESTS: Are expected

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OUCH! Which original British expat was tortured by Spain for his loose lips?

in THE alleged lynchpin political Spain’s biggest ever made SIX fraud claims he up. previous confessions Andalucia Former Junta de Francisco employment bosshe did not Guerrero insists the ERE personally gain from up to a bilscandal, that saw over a lion euros embezzled decade. gave details He claims he only fund’ of the so-called ‘reptile oversaw, that he allegedly after police put considerable pressure on him. eight years Guerrero is facing €65 in prison for embezzling from the million of money pub€647 million emergency belic fund that he managed tween 1999 and 2008.set aside The money had been Andato support strugglingInstead, lucian businesses. awarded Guerrero allegedly regfake grants to companies of more istered in the names memthan 100 of his family PSOE bers, friends and fellow Juan politicians. His driver, - nickFrancisco Trujillo chauffeur’ named the ‘cocainebogus shell - claims he set up public companies to receive on ‘cocaine, money to spend parties and drinks’. CHASING CORRUPTION

CMY

- February 28th

2018

SURFS UP Don’t miss our three-page travel special on Brazil SEE PAGE 10

DRINK TO THAT Some great Spanish alternatives to French classics which are easier on the wallet SEE PAGE 20

Dozens of jobs and a big loss of trade in Santa Catalina if ‘nightmare’ new pavement law comes in

SEE MORE IN THE RESTAURANT INSIDE1 SECTION Untitled-1.pdf

February 15th

SAVE OUR TERRACES

SEE PAGE 9

IN DENIAL: Guerrero

EXCLUSIVE

a By Gillian Keller done to keep luf’. “This is only being happy,” in- This week (Thursday) take meeting is set to the is backing a a few elderly locals Luca planned hall so all THE Olive Press the liveliplace at the town sisted fellow restaurateur get their campaign to protect expat busiVeronesi, of Prosecco.“The au- relevent parties could hoods of dozens of The Italian added: this area views across. resnesses in Santa Catalina. is certain is that the visitors thorities have allowed a draconian and vibrant What scene in Santa CataIt comes after staple for Mallorca see an estaurant to become a hip Terraces are a proposed law could is place and now they are going lina is unlike anywhere else in the AT RISK: what they are proposing it with this has a very timated 42% of terraces nightmare,” but in Mallorca and to completely alter It’s so scary.” vibe. Palma district shut.fear a dra- “It’s a complete Bindi’s extreme. “We work with law. a unique international gentrified Bin Shah, owner of Many businesses “I She continued:Germany, Swe- “This could potentially ruin a loss of said While the area has in Santa Catalina. from it has matic impact - and they all lot of businesses.” if the plan restaurant rely on my terrace tourists and changed rapidly,business and England and from La Lolcompletely dozens of jobs I don’t know den to sit outside as they don’t Manager Marie are just wait- brought substantial the want comes into effect. create more in summer and has mostly benefited survive without it. get that chance at home. This is lija agreed. “We point, and that The new law to would how I would have to area. ing to hear at this space for pedestrians having “I would certainly of staff,” very scary.” changes to our new rules, pave- hoping. Any for lead to 37% of terracesarea and get rid of a member from Under the have to be a mini- terrace would be terrible Minority ments will added the 50-year-old, to shut in Pere Garau of business.” Jonquet. 2.5 metres free minority that around 40% in Es they mum of little The local restaurant associa- “It’s a very small 1,650 Loughborough. understand why peo- any obstructions, leaving change, everybody defence assoOf the capital’s existing it is esti- “I don't tion, the citizens Palma neigh- want this for the vibrant life for tables. restaurant terraces, would be are doing it. I understand else is here the road, space ciation, and the 500 have all come with the resple need to get down mated around 15:36 bourhood association owners that has said El Aqua Nauta 16/06/2017 affected. taurants,” united with business stay on the owner Pitxi Vellver, from to get a temporary Catalunya. plans. have come “It's thanks to the terraces that They say the plans about we have all this business and in after a few complaints and other jobs… there were no jobs here noise from terraces, rubbish. years ago,” she added. irritations like more is a fewlocal British expat Vicky One One group complaining claims there Edmondson, from Brighton Barri Civic, which and not added: “Most of my neighare too many terraces internationlocals. bours are a young this mini enough space for Mayol who love Its president Marilen are un- al crowd, area. the says that pedestriansthe pave- metropolitan a 'village inside able to walk downold people, “It’s like call it. It would be a as we ments, ‘especially and city'shame to destroy that.” big people in wheelchairs mothers with prams.’ Opinion Page 6 area is beShe adds that the like Magaginning to ‘become

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a few elderly lo“This is only being done to keep of Prosecco rescals happy,” said Luca Veronesi, taurant, also in Santa Catalina. area to be“The authorities have allowed thisnow they are come a hip and vibrant place and

STANDING UP FOR SANTA CATALINA nearly 1000 signatures, while the island’s PP party has come out in support of the restaurants. Restaurant owners in Santa Catalina meanwhile, insist that a ‘one rule fits all’ new law will be very damaging to them. Italian Luca Veronesi, at Prosecco, said: “We all rely on these terraces to make a living. Shut mine, I will have to lay off staff for sure and may even be forced to close.”

Continues on Page 4

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Justice at last!

Right decision

March 1st - March 14th 2018

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HE clinking of wine glasses, clicking of designer heels and the cacophony of foreign languages… welcome to a typical lunchtime in Santa Catalina. Palma's trendiest neighbourhood is often described by locals as 'the village in the city', and there is no doubt it has a very distinct look and feel about it. With the city’s best food market, some of its most exciting restaurants and, bit by bit, some of the coolest shops, it is little surprise that Santa Catalina has become - by the

square metre - one of the most expensive places to buy in Spain. The area may be small - only seven streets wide, stretching from Feixina park to busy Calle Joan Crepsí - but it has literally exploded over the last few years. There has been a huge influx of expat buyers, in particular Scandinavian, and Santa Catalina today is vastly different to the area that Palma residents remember just a decade ago.

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The Olive Press spends a week in fashionable Santa Catalina

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The attack, which took place in the victim’s garage, is believed to have been ordered by Cursach, who is on trial for murder, money-laundering, extortion, bribery and corruption. During the sickening assault the victim was dragged to the ground and kicked while being told he would be killed if he continued to speak out. Puscasiu, who lists his UK BASED profession as a builder on websites, has also been ordered to pay a fine of €7,200, plus €8,000 in damages to for Spanish the witness for the injuries received. residents The court heard how www.globelink.co.uk the witness, who worked as a waiter in the VIP zone of Cursach’s club Titos, was 96 626 5000 +44 (0) 1353 699082 Continues on Page 2 VICIOUS: Puscasiu worked for Cursach

How the other half live when on holiday in southern Spain, from Saudi Royalty to British prime ministers and American billionaires

WO HUNDRED brand-new, imported Mercedes. ONE THOUSAND POUNDS for fresh flowers. HALF A MILLION EUROS on an altar and circa €200,000 on a flight. These are just a few of the luxuries the world’s super-rich have indulged in during their visits to Spanish shores. As celebs, royals and the super-rich descend on the Spanish coasts for the summer, Maya Eashwaran and Regina Lankenau see how their entourages and expenses stack up.

The Swazis

HE Swazi king, Mswatti III, has long been criticised for his over-the-top spending habits, as his country is one of the poorest countries in the world. He’s certainly got form. So it should have come as no surprise when, this summer, Mswatti III flew into Marbella for an extravagant stay at a villa in the resort’s most expensive hotels - the Marbella Club, where rooms can cost a whopping €900 a night. He arrived for his Spanish stay with all 14 wives and 35 children in tow, bookended by a massive security entourage. For his 40th birthday celebration in 2008, by his own royal command, ‘a 15,000seat stadium was built and a fleet of topof-the-line BMW sedans was ordered for the comfort of visiting dignitaries’, according to the New York Times.

Pope Benedict XVI

HIS ultra-conservative El Papa whose papacy was tarnished by several scandals and a controversial past was a frequent visitor to Spain. Among his most memorable trips was his visit to Valencia in 2006 for the fifth World Meeting for Families, a ‘public affirmation of the invaluable worth he places on the family’. According to an audit, the Valencian government spent €3.1 million on public loos, €1.7 million on hotels for the papal entourage and his guests, more than €500,000 on 284 planters of varying sizes, €7.5 million on megaphones and screens and €1.5 million on the papal altar. The official centre where the Pope celebrated mass cost 39% over the original budget, with €451,000 spent on the metal work, €124,000 on zoning costs, and the rest squandered on electricity, plumbing and special curtains to offset the heat from the television lights. The audit was part of an investigation opened in 2016 into the Valencian government’s contracts under President Francisco Camps who, alongside the Archbishop of Valencia, was suspected of committing crimes of administrative prevarication, embezzlement and fraud. The Pope’s 2010 pastoral trip around Spain was equally draining on the taxman, requiring a scandalous €4.8 million from public coffers to cover the costs. The visit prompted Europa Laica-Observatoria de la Laicidad, an organisation advocating the separation of church and state, to marshal a ‘symbolic bill’ making both Pope and public aware of

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DANGER: Benidorm attraction left man critical A BRITISH holidaymaker’s support life has changed forever after family machine with his warned that he could a horrific freak accident at be paralysed from the chest Benidorm’s Aqualandia left down after suffering a spinal him paralysed. cord David Briffaut, 23, was left “We injury. are living every parents’ semi-conscious after riding nightmare,” his mother Lorthe ‘Splash’ waterslide with raine revealed. “Our son girlfriend Penny Bristow. might never walk again.” Video footage shows the pair Doctors are now planning laughing side-by-side before to insert two screws in his David’s head snaps forward neck, as well as undertake a as he hit the water. tracheotomy so that he can David, who works at a golf breathe without the use of a course in Essex, could not ventilator. feel his legs when he came A spokeswoman for Aqualaround. He is now on a life andia, which has been open for 34 years, insisted the company was ‘not responsible’ for the horrific accident. “As you can see in the photos of others press articles, David is in the wrong position whereas the girl who is next to him is in the right one,” the spokeswoman told the Olive Press. “Our lifeguard team informed him of the rules of PARALYSED: David the ride and he didn’t obey and girlfriend Penny them.”

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mer Republicans by the ruling authorities. In 2012, after receiving a class action lawsuit from 250 families, the Spanish Attorney General’s Office confirmed the operation. Madrigal described finding her ‘true family’ as a ‘triumph’, this week. The good news was tinged with sadness, however, as she discovered that her biological mother died in 2013 at 73. But the new family connection has further legal implications, as the conviction against Doctor Vela was overturned as she had taken too long to complain, the court ruled. Madrigal has now confirmed that prosecutors will seek to get him convicted again via an appeal to the Supreme Court.

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the exorbitant costs associated with his Spanish travels. According to them, the papal visit to Santiago de Compostela cost taxpayers €3 million while his stop in Barcelona racked up another €1.8 million. However, it was his visit to Madrid in 2011 that met with the biggest backlash. Arriving in the capital for World Youth Day, this orthodox Pope brought together a group (or should that be hoard) of two million young people whose stay ran up an eye-watering €50 million bill. However 70% was paid by the kids themselves and 30% was covered by company donations. The possible profits of the event were projected to be at more than €100 million.

A KAMIKAZEE driver select has been House aides and a few killed They arrived members. staffin a multiple collision afin an Air Force One jet that ter he at 200km/h an hour in over $11,000 on the costdrove the bringing wrong operation sidecosts, of the motorway. PUBLISHER / EDITOR cost of the round trip The total Jon Clarke 52-year-old under for 50 the Pond to justdrove across jon@theolivepress.es €177,408. on the kilometres A-8,in near GiWhile the Obamas were Charlie Smith Laurence Dollimore jon, in Asturias, vehiclescolliding a fleet of 14 flight, before laurence@theolivepress.es charlie@theolivepress.es From withawaited cars inin aMalaga. crash that left car whisked were there, they Timothy McNulty Joshua Parfitt parts scattered for ametres. away to Marbella tim@theolivepress.es for 100 joshua@theolivepress.es few days of luxury at Michelle Obama Two children, aged four and Hotel Vilthe five-star Gillian Keller gillian@theolivepress.es Michelle five, havela been Padierna.injured along Spain’s first HE former First Lady for several hours for had booked around of the United States’ her arrival in the un- with a woman and rooms twoformen. 30 extra Includes recognised DISTRIBUTION 2010 vacation to Mar- forgiving Costa del Sol single-vision MANAGER OFFICE lenses. Other lenses and Extra Options ADMIN standard both her entourage, initially The children available ENQUIRIES have at- heat. atWhat anwas Héctor Santaella additional bella and Mallorca Beatriz Sanllehí minor charge. The Specsavers staff.only security and ©2019 Opticas. All rights (+34) 951 273 575 (+34) 658 750 424 (+34) 951 273 575 tracted worldwide attention. supposed to be a relaxing, injuries, while she stayed villa one distribution@ particular of the men ‘stolen baby’ isreserved. accounts@ admin@ The ‘FLOTUS’ landed in Mala- private mother-and-daughter theolivepress.es three floors, two theolivepress.es boasting in, in theolivepress.es intostill hospital ga in early August to a crowd vacation quickly turnedis in a serious reunited the bedrooms, two bathrooms, with of over 200 Spanish journal- the event of the year forcondition. and three terraces. It has ists and an assembly of uni- Spanish media. For all sales and advertising enquiries since been renamed the Mi- had family after 50 formed Spanish Civil Guard, According to reports,“He opulent Villa. Thisopportunities Obama many please contact 951 27 35 75 all of whom had been waiting chelle was accompanied tobyleave on all sides SWAZI: King Mswatti III hemmed pad, the motorway, and he years by pristine golf courses, can didn’t,” Guardia night. spokesto €3,600 a Civil costaup NEWSDESK Kuwaitis US-based a The man said. Judicial Watch, HEAD OFFICE A WOMAN who was stolen as conservative organisation, Carretera Nacional 340, km 144.5, Calle Espinosa 1, Edificio MOVING: Ines uwaiti royals and businessmen requested and obtained offia baby during the Franco diccc El Duque, planta primera, 29692, Sabinillas, Manilva have been padding Marbella with cial travel expenses from the embraces her petrodollars for over four decades, tatorship has located her bioUS Air Force and Secret SerDeposito Legal MA: 835-2017 mainly investing in luxury property sister vice, as well as documents logical family through a DNA in Mijas, Marbella and Sotogrande. from the Department of reUnlike the Saudis, the Kuwaitis are known They Security. Homeland bank. 2016 - 2019 AWARDS The Madrid-born Madrifor their more reserved spending habits. veal a total cost of €414,765 Thanks to US company gal As reported by El Pais, one Kuwaiti entouBest expat paper in Spain for the Obamas’ Spanish getwas involved in Spain’s rage member stated that ‘the Kuwaitis and the second best in the away. Secret Service protec23andMe, Ines Madrigal was first-ever world. The Expat Survey have no need to show off their wealth’. Intion alone came to €225,716 ‘stolen baby’ trial in Consumer Awards. put in touch with a second 2018. deed, despite being world famous for Sau— a sum that included the di opulence in the area, the Kuwaitis Obamas’ private car costs, cousin following a saliva swab During 2012 - 2019 own more property in Marbella than payments to a travel compathe benchmark case, their Arabian neighbours. designed for testing ancestry 83-year-old ny and secure hotel accomNamed the best English language doctor Eduardo modation. publication in Andalucia by the and health-related concerns. Vela was convicted of child abRough Guides group. Madrigal, 50, has now been duction, reunited with her three bio- sifying faking a birth and falher childbirth records. CARNAGE: Suicide smash logical brothers and sister af- The case has wider impliter 32 years of searching. cations for an estimated 300,000 babies who were snatched in a scandal that began under the Franco dicA TARDY lawyer who raced along tatorship and continued until the motorway to attend a the court case in Murcia has been 1990s. arrested immediately after- Doctors wards – by cops attending the same and nuns would tell case. Much to the amazement of those single or impoverished mothevidence at the trial arrested the attending, the police giving ers their children had died man, who had earlier been during chased by Guardia Civil and a helicopter, childbirth – meanbefore leaving his while giving car badly parked outside court. them away to The excuse for his reckless driving other, was that he didn’t want to who often wealthy, families be late for the trial in which he were unable to conceive. traffic accident from September.was due to testify – that of a Many times the victimised families were identified as for-

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100+ T There are those who are dying who wish to live and those who having everyday fun that this Olive Press 18th July 2019 - 170 h x 256 w live that wish to die, it's a tough one but each person has a right toAlicante50+NorthK could happen to you (Horror decide if they are unable to continue. slide, Issue 9, pg 5). God bless 50+ him and his loved ones. I pray David Rowe, Ardales RUSH TO JUDGEMENT it’s possible for him to make a speed recovery to the best of his Close to home abilities.

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THANK god British engineer Robert Mansfield-Hewitt has been released from prison this month. It is unfathomable that a UK citizen could have been locked up for SEVEN months without even being charged. Incredibly, he was forced to wait a further four months for his day in court before being released more than a month later. And all in an EU country and very close ally to Britain no less! How many other cases like Robert’s have there been? There was no evidence connecting him to the drugs and least of all no workable motive, given his decades-long career with the British government. All the while, there seems to have been no investigation launched into the owner of the property where the drugs were found. The case seems mired in corruption with local police apparently deciding to try and pin it on Robert from day one. Either way, we are delighted that the pressure we have maintained on the authorities throughout this year, appears to have had some effect. NO OTHER expat paper was willing to do that. And we are happy Robert appreciates it. There is nothing like being forgotten to rust in prison.

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VILE: Racist teacher ismo. The man filming tells his friend to ‘relax’, before saying to the woman: “You’re a fool, you’re a big fool, n****r.” One of the men can then be heard replying to the angry woman by saying, ‘we’re just passengers init’, before she labels them ‘monkeys’ and makes racist gestures. The men also attempt to speak Spanish to the woman, but she says that she, ‘doesn't understand anything’. It is unclear exactly where the men are from, but both speak with southern English accents.

A BRITISH expat claims he has been scammed by a Costa Blanca company offering bogus Sky TV boxes. Ray Gardner, who runs Moraira Plumbing, paid €99 for the set from Xpat TV Services back in March. However, after months of failed promises and ignored emails, the box has still not turned up. “The company kept telling me the courier couldn’t find me, but all my other deliveries get here,” Gardner told the Olive Press. The longtime British expat, whose company has had a shop in Moraira for years, fears that the company has shut and now come back under a different name Sky Distributors Europe to scam more unsuspecting customers. Neither Xpat TV Services nor Sky Distributors Europe are registered on Spanish Companies’ House. None of the employees named in emails, including Sales & Programmer John Greenhill, could be contacted for reply.

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an walked in and started to tell us that this is a ‘world of women’ and that there is no longer any room for sexist men.” The woman teaches at a school in the Bilbao suburb of Deusto according to Es Rac-

A BRITISH couple have been jailed after stealing nearly €300,000 from an elderly couple they were caring for in Alicante. The pair, aged 51 and 67, have been handed four years after they were found guilty of ‘taking advantage’ of the elderly expat couple. The judge at Alicante Court ruled that the Dutch victims – both now dead – had become ‘totally dependent’ on their carers. It led to the pair transferring a total of €385,902 to their personal bank accounts, between 2011 and 2013, of which only €116,000 was justified. They must now pay €166.332 to the family of the deceased, with the rest impossible to prove as it was taken in small amounts. The crimes were committed between the end of 2011 and July 2013, when the wife died, with her husband who had serious Parkinson’s, dying soon after. The case was brought by the son of the deceased, who was unable to corroborate exactly what had happened. However, the judge still ruled that the pair convicted had used the money for their ‘own benefit’.

TWO men have been arrested after using fake €500 notes so good they were ‘undetectable by machines’. The youths, aged 26 and 27, aroused suspicion after blowing €7,500 euros of the notes at a casino in Alicante. After the notes were sent to technicians from the Bank of Spain’s Counterfeiting Analysis Center they were deemed to be fake, and of an extremely ‘high quality’. The pair were eventually tracked down and have now been charged with counterfeiting and fraud and are awaiting trial.

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Onto the streets PROTESTERS have taken to the streets as the fight for Palma’s terraces continues. Dozens of angry restaurateurs gathered on Calle Blanquerna to voice their disapproval of new terrace rules, which could see around 500 terraces affected. Under new rules, pavements will have to be a minimum of 2.5 metres free of any obstructions, leaving little space for tables. It could mean dozens of expat owners - the majority in Santa Catalina will no longer being able to serve clients outside their premises. Protesters argue that the street has 'more than reasonable space for both pedestrians and the terraces’. “The current dimensions have not caused any problems before," said a spokesman for a new group opposed to the plans We All Fit in Palma. A petition has so far garnered

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wine,

mo Madrid on its website Es Racismo. “We were on the train and my friend and I put up our feet on some seats that were free,” one of those targeted, told Es Racismo. “Ten minutes later a wom-

You wouldn't let a dog suffer like many of the long-term sick do. Yes,of course there should be checks and balances to avoid people helping their old folk along so they can inherit the money. The esPreach tablishment tell us that pain can be managed with medication, but Comp what sort of life is it for those unfortunates drugged into a virtual lete I’m not a religious man. But a man who coma just waiting to die? me to donate to the poor whilst glassetells s himself drinking from a gold chalice Carol Montgomery, Malaga from FEATURE and flying business class (The Filthy Rich and and Rich Filthy The € their entourage, Issue Dignity their entourage 322, pg 6 and 7) is not a T man I take seriously. Why let people suffer? There should be help for a painless and T dignified end. Alex Brown, Calpe 100s Edith Farminer, Mijas

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OPINION

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GREEN ENCLAVE:

Black tourists victims of disgusting racist attack by a teacher on a train

Yep Brits will do and pay anything to get English TV (Pie in the sky, Issue 9, pg 2) .Wo betide the someone’s wife who misses an episode of Coronation street! Finally I’m afraid IThieving bet there willjailed be many peocarers noted ple who turn to the internet to hunt for a little black box, and get sent a box of stones instead for the payment of possibly hundred euros or so. And all after being promised an all singing and dancing box. Peter Voss, Torrevieja

Shocking footage taken by the young British travellers shows the unidentified middle aged woman also call them ‘shitty Moors (muslims)’, ‘immigrants’ and ‘f**king Africans’. The video, filmed on a train in Bilbao, was released by non-profit group SOS Racis-

SPAIN’S socialist government has claimed ownership of Fransisco Franco’s summer palace, after the Justice Ministry said funds used to buy the mansion were raised via forced donations from the public.

July 18th to July 31st 2019

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than one million people a month.

You are pivotal. It’s wonderful because you really write the truth, where other papers are always very diplomatic and don’t want to tread on anybody’s toes. (Trapped in Hell, Issue 7, pg2) . They are supposed to write an article about dogs, and then write an article praising the mayor that lets these atrocities happen. I think with a series of articles you can play an incredible role here in exposing these criminals. Now in Teulada we finally have a government that is completely on our side. The councillor for public services made it clear to me that the old ways are over. We have no reason to be shy about anything. I think if we must start naming and shaming - they can try to sue us for libel, but if we are smart we can have all the legal side backed up. You can play a pivotal role in turning the tables in this area. You can do a lot because you have courage, and that’s exactly what we need.

How an innocent British MoD worker on Gib was locked up for a YEAR with killers... FULL STORY P6 opportunity for Spain, Morocco and Portugal as an economic engine.” He blamed former Spanish dictator Franco for the anti-Gibraltar sentiment that shaped Spanish right-wing policy. He suggested that just as street changed in recent years so should names were getting the attitude towards Gibraltar. The GSLP party leader went on to tax talks with the Rock’s closest describe the recent neighbour as ‘very positive’. “The way we do our taxation is totally asymmetric to the way Hacienda does it,” said Picardo. “Spain looks to have come out better out of the only because it needs much more tax agreement but information for tax purposes. “The deal has shown that we have absolutely nothing to hide. We can now show that we have no Spanish money hiding from taxation in Gibraltar.”

building will remain unchanged. A more spacious library and changes to the usage of Queen’s cinema room complete the upgrades. Minister of Culture, Steven Linares, said: “We are developing excellent facilities for the sports community and we maintain the same commitment to raise the great Performing Arts family in Gibraltar to an even higher level than THE captain of the tanker seized in Gibraltar while today.” carrying Iranian oil has accused the Royal Marines who detained his ship of usDON’T ing excessive force. MISS OUR The elite commandos had helped authorities seize the SOTOGRANDE Grace 1 on suspicion it was SUPPLEMENT ... carrying Syria bound oil in breach of EU sanctions. FREE INSIDE The Ministry of Defence has defended the raid arguing it A S otogrande ‘complied with international rules and norms.’ The statement last night came as the captain claimed marines made his unarmed crew kneel on the deck at gunpoint. The incident took place on July 4 and saw 30 marines DRAMATIC: Grace 1 and (right) Royal Marines from 42 Commando flown and E he lowered the ship’s move, in at the request of the Gi- ladder. according to the Indian national. braltar government. Before The unnamed captain said chance the authorities had a The man identified himto board, a military self as the police radioed him with a helicopter captain but was landed on the ignored request to board his ship ship in a ‘very dangerous’ instead by marines who trained their guns ll about

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A SPANISH school teacher has launched a disgusting racist attack on two black British men, calling them ‘monkeys’.

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Costa del Sol ‘power couple’ linked to Conor McGregor cuffed in one of Europe’s ‘biggest ever’ drugs probe

A MARBELLA-based expat who partied with Conor McGregor has been arrested as part of Finland’s biggest EVER drugs probe. Bikini-fitness model Sofia Belorfia, 29, was seized in Helsinki alongside her well-connected boyfriend Niko Ranta-aho this month. The former Bikini-Fitness World Champion (2015) stands accused of money laundering, while Ranta-aho, owner of upmarket Teatro restaurant in Puerto Banus, has been charged with ‘serious drug offences’ relating to cocaine and steroids. Ranta-aho, who also owns ER Properties, remains locked up in the Finnish capital and has had €4 million worth of assets frozen while Belorfia has been released on bail. Lead investigator Kaarlo Lehmus described has the drug probe as the ‘most extensive’ in the country’s history. The leader of the

Drawing board

Readers react to the news over 1 million people in Spain have signed petitions supporting euthanasia (online, July 18)

BIKINI BUST

TakingCE advantage RA RANT

NEWS IN BRIEF

‘Dignity and respect’

How an innocent British MoD worker was locked up for a YEAR FULL STORY P6 with killers...

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CRIME

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SPAIN’s caretaker prime minister Pedro Sanchez has called an end to power-sharing talks with Podemos and ratcheted up the risk of a fresh election in the autumn - Spain’s fourth in as many years.

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FAMOUS FACES: Hoddle, Rutherford, Fergie, Jordan and Knowles

Carrying its spectacular beauty and exclusive seclusion with a carefree air, this haunt of global A-listers holds much to be valued, discovers Tim McNulty and Maya Eashwaran

GREEN ENCLAVE: Sotogrande is surrounded by verdant hills, a string of golf courses and quiet beaches, while the port area (below) is full of upscale restaurants and sailing yachts TCHED carefully into the Rutherford or the BBC’s Nick in the port of Sotogrande. crown of Spain’s south- Knowles, who all have homes “It’s so cosmopolitan and with ern coast, Sotogrande is in the resort. a low crime rate - if any at all. a gem that shows no sign And then there are the footbalContinues on page 16 of losing its glimmer. lers, including Glenn Hoddle The country’s largest pri- and Glen Johnson, who have vately-owned residential ‘su- bought homes in Sotogrande. per-state’ has long been the Internationally renowned for its first port of call for the cream of polo, golf and sailing, as well European high society. as a burgeoning gastronomic The radiance of this million- scene, this ‘mini Monaco’ of aire’s playground lies in its high net worth residents has all low-density living, stunning the hallmarks of what is often beaches and mountain back- considered the top private redrops, plus its amazing marina sort in Europe. and golf courses. Different from other ‘celebrity’ TYRE CENTER Its privileged views of the Rock resorts where talk of wealth of Gibraltar and the Rif moun- and fame is de rigueur, in SoCan you afford to tains of Africa have been en- togrande they like to keep such wait 7 to 10 days? joyed by the likes of ex-UK PM talk, appropriately, ‘sotto voce.’ Tony Blair, the British royal Mention the palpable sense of tel: 956 794 657 family and countless European community, however, and you’ll C/Sierra Bermeja s/n, celebrities, who don’t want to discover how that is the priviPueblo Nuevo de Guadiaro be spotted, unlike those who leged enclave’s true treasure. venture to nearby Marbella. “Sotogrande is a very friendly Opposite But keep your eyes peeled and place. You get all the different Iceland you might spot Irish motor rac- nationalities here and they all ing guru Eddie Jordan, former just blend in,” estate agent BriA7 132 KM Genesis keyboard player Mike an Nelson tells us at his office

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From page 15

UNSPOILT: Much of the nearby coastline is largely undeveloped, while the port (above) is buzzing and fun

“Of course everyone wants Sotogrande to stay the way it is, development, however, is inevitable. “Everything from here is just a bonus.” Outside Sotogrande Raquet’s club we bumped into Wendy who has traded north London for a family holiday in Sotogrande every summer for the last decade. “This place is family-friendly and less hectic than further down the coast,” she explains still out of breath from her on court exploits. “It’s very open and we love it because you can cycle around

Safe and sound and everywhere feels very safe.” And there is truly an abundant offering of outdoor pursuits. The profusion of yachts and kayaks spotted as we walk the immaculately tree lined streets down to the marina reminds us again of Sotogrande’s huge sporting offer, not to forget the golf. A championship round at Royal Sotogrande Golf Club is an unforgettable afternoon for any Shane Lowry - one of seven courses available. Elsewhere, those who take life

more at a gallop have Santa Maria Polo Club, one of the most important clubs of its kind in Europe, where the equestrian sport can be enjoyed most of the year. It is also the only polo club in the world to hold two ranking events on the international circuit every year: the Silver Cup and the Gold Cup. Every july and August top polo players from around the world descend on Santa Maria for the International Tournament, now in its 47th year. During the off-season, many football

teams rent the polo pitches to train. Much of Sotogrande’s fame stems from its sporting firsts. Valderrama golf course was the first to host The Ryder Cup on the continent of Europe in 1997. And it’s still a fairway to golfing heaven, according to golfer and former professional footballer Andy Gemmell, who has played some 40 courses in the area. If year-round residents have a complaint, it’s that the winter months can be very quiet, so they welcome the recent new investment in the area.

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After General Franco closed the border with Gibraltar in 1926, Sotogrande experienced a quiet By 1997 August 1stperiod. - August 14th Sotogrande S.A was losing a whopping €2 million a year!

2019

1717

Summer 2019

How we see it

The Olive Press talks to a handful of locals to see what they think about life in Sotogrande Andy Gemmell, 72, Glasgow It’s a great place for families and is very safe, so it’s perfect for children. Sotogrande isn’t commercialised compared to other areas, which is a big draw. Valeria Alfie, Sotogrande It used to be a more seasonal place, whereas recently people are opting to be here all year round. This is very good for small business people such as myself. Wytze Abels Velema, 75, Holland

TIP TOP: The beach is as well kept as the marina (below)

Gerry Fagan, 61, Liverpool I live in Gibraltar but come here because I like the ambience, it’s an escape or, as the Spanish would say, muy tranquilo. It’s a different pace from Gibraltar, and compared to the hustle and bustle of the UK it’s a completely different lifestyle. Paul Martin, 74, Bristol It’s a wonderful place for golfers, polo players, and people with boats and I have seen plenty of royals such as the Duchess of York, who has holidayed here several years in a row.

1978 the International School of Sotogrande was founded to accommodate the growing international population. In 1985, the polo fields of Rio Sotogrande I and II were built as well as adding new fields in 1992, 1995, 2003 and 2008. In 1997, just before the Ryder Cup, Guadiaro to Algeciras coastal highway dual-carriageway upgrade was completed and in 2002 the construction of AP-7 motorway helped visitors reduce their drive time to the resort. McMicking continued to live out his later years in Sotogrande until his death in 1990. One of longest-established residents Lucrecia Aldao, 61, from the Philippines, has seen nearly five decades of its trans-

From small time polo to international golf

n the early days new courses at San Roque, after polo left the Almanara and La Reserva, beach for the green rapidly climbing up the Top grassy fields, it was Ten chart in Spain. a common sight to Every year the quality of the see families with regattas from Puerto Sototheir picnics spread grande are becoming more o u t next to the ‘cancha’, and more important. the local gardeners sitting On top of this, Sotogrande with their families next to could soon become the members of the British Ro- Equestrian Show Jumping Centre for Europe as plans yal Family. Now it is an extremely well are going ahead to introduorganised 5-star event, and ce top class competitions amazingly still free to the throughout the winter, public apart from The Gold when it is too cold cup Final on the very last and wet to celebrate events in day of the summer season. And Golf. After the huge Northern Europe. success of the Ryder Cup, And most amazing Volvo Masters and Amex of all, is the increWorld Championship at dible new inland Valderrama we now have beach and mini Spain's first Municipal cour- ocean complex at se at La Cañada, as well La Reserva. Spain’s as the amazing Real Club most exclusive inland de Sotogrande course and beach resort.

M & l aarria e M & u l e iapp iiggu M M

There has been a serious amount of spending in the extended port area, Ribera del Marlin, as well as in the hills up towards La Reserva golf. There is a very real sense that the place has upped a gear in the last three or four years and all of Sotogrande’s 2,500 hectares are being carefully planned and used. This is best showcased by La Reserva’s man-made lagoon, which saw sand brought over from Morocco. “It’s three or four times bigger than the blue lagoon in Estepona,” adds Brian Nelson with a distinct tinge of pride. Sotogrande’s story goes back to the 1960s, when in 1962 an American Filipino family invested millions into Sotogrande to make it what it is today. Stanford University graduate Joseph McMicking and his family were looking to find a suitable place on the Mediterranean, when his cousin found Sotogrande. Joseph McMicking purchased the company Financiera Sotogrande del Guadiaro and submitted a plan to buy the 1,800 hectare estate, which was later approved by the Spanish authorities. From there he commissioned Robert Trent Jones, a famous golf architect, to design the Royal Golf Club of Sotogrande. Building on the success, in

Sotogrande is a small community which has what everybody wants. To live here is unbelievable. It’s extremely safe, there is no crime here.

Equestrian Equestrian Team Team HIPICA at SAN ROQUE CLUB DINING CENTRAL: The port comes alive at night formation. Gatecrashing El Molino del “I arrived here in 1968 and Conde’s waterfront restaurant grew up in Sotogrande. Since for a drink we meet 49-yearthen it’s changed in so much old Theresa Cohen, 50, who as its grown. Sotogrande is a moved to Sotogrande from Oxphilosophy…it’s a philosophy ford a year ago. of family, of friends. It’s a low “Among friends we jokingly call key society, and everybody it the ‘new Marbella’. Not in a here is low key. flashy way but Sotogrande is “You can run into some exhow Marbella used to be betremely rich, extremely famous fore it got too commercialised,” people and nobody will bat an she tells us. “Here it is differeyelid. The place itself may ent, being a gated community I have changed, and is modthink helps that exclusivity. ernising, but the philosophy “The restaurants in the area, remains the same. I believe, are world-class: fine “Sotogrande isn’t commercialwines and the best seafood ised compared to other areas, dishes around.” which is a big draw but it’s getThe marina is yet another highting there. Every year there is a light of Sotogrande where the new twist and turn.” welcome is warm, the hospitaliAt the marina we stopped at ty outstanding and the sporting the long established Hairy offer unequalled by anywhere Lemon, where owner Lorenc else in the world that’s not a has allowed the ‘Soto’ school town or a village but merely a of thinking to heavily influence gated community.” his international menu. Sotogrande has undoubtedly You only need to sit down at become the benchmark resort a quayside restaurant to overfor residential luxury living and hear how multicultural this quality sport tourism. place has become. ConversaIt is easy to agree with Lucrecia tions are conducted in SpanAldao when she said ‘I don’t ish, German, French, Italian, think Sotogrande will ever lose Scandinavian - it’s a veritable its sparkle.’ tower of Babel.

Pony club | Birthday parties Professional riders and trainers of riders and jumping and dressage horses Livery in boxes and paddocks Field & beach horseback routes Summer, Christmas & Easter camps Exams & galloping courses Sports technician courses | Farm school Sale of jumping horses and dressage Jumping and dressage clinics with professional riders

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BUSINESS www.theolivepress.es

A stitch in time

A CLOTHING brand in Barcelona is helping sex workers to stitch together a new life with work as seamstresses. Dona Kolors has hired 20 women who have escaped years of forced prostution to produce simple linen and cotton garments. The social enterprise was set up by a local Catholic organization, El Lloc de la Dona, catalan for ‘Women’s Place.’ “Working here I feel empowered, relaxed and happy,” said a 42-year-old former prostitute, speaking on the condition of anonymity. An estimated 400,000 sex workers operate in Spain, according to Spanish government figures.

August 1st - August 14th 2019

Not so fast, climate change!

Zara reveals plans to become completely green within six years after ‘fast-fashion’ criticisms ZARA has vowed to become 100% sustainable by 2025. The Spanish fashion giant announced last week that within six years, all of its linen, polyester and cotton will be either organic, sustainable or recycled. It will also use only sustainable viscose - a semi-synthetic fibre - by 2023. Its parent company Inditex, owned by Spain’s richest man Amancio Ortega, plans to extend the green plan to its other brands which include Zara Home, Pull & Bear, Bershka

and Massimo Dutti. "We need to be a force for change, not only in the company but in the whole sector," Inditex chairman and CEO Pablo Isla said at the annual meeting. "Sustainability is a never-ending task in which everyone here at Inditex is involved and in which we are successfully engaging all of our suppliers." It comes as Zara’s stores are to be made ‘eco-efficient’ by the end of this year, reducing the company’s carbon emis-

BBVA corruption probe SPAIN’S anti-corruption prosecutor has called for BBVA to be placed under formal investigation as part of a probe into an alleged spying case. It comes after revelations that the country’s second-biggest bank had hired ex-police chief Jose Manuel Villarejo’s firm, Grupo Cenyt, to investigate officials of construction company Sacyr to help stop a takeover bid by the company in

2004. The lender has admitted to hiring the firm but says there is no evidence of spying. The prosecutor wants the bank probed for ‘for acts that would constitute offences of bribery, disclosure of secrets and corruption in business.’ It was stated that documents seized during the investigation would prove that the hiring and allegedly illegal payments

WALK THE WALK: Zara reveals environmental plans sions while saving energy and ergy from its stores, distribuminimising waste. tion centres and offices to be It also wants 80% of the en- ‘clean’ in 2025. Zara has made other attempts to counteract the impact of so-called ‘fast fashion’, which sees new styles and ranges shipped in every week across thousands of stores. Customers can drop off used clothing, footwear and accessories in more than 1,300 to grupo Cenyt, a security firm owned by stores to tackle fashion's Villarejo, affected several sensitive areas waste problem. of the bank and various executives of the Inditex sells products in more institution. than 200 markets online and If the investigation is approved by investimore than 7,000 stores in gative judge Manuel Garcia-Castellon, the 96 markets, including over most the bank will face is a heavy fine. 2,000 Zara stores.

The BoJo effect

O Boris Johnson is the new Prime Minister and he has decided that change is needed NOW. He has transformed the cabinet, from being biased towards Remain to being Brexit driven. One of his first changes was to bring in Sajid Javid as Chancellor, confirming a radical change in thinking in the upper offices of Government. This means we could see the purse strings a little looser than ex-Chancellor Philip Hammond preferred. Boris has also said that the UK will leave the EU by or on October 31 ‘deal or no deal’.

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August 1st - August 14th 2019

All change in the UK- but what does it mean for your investments?

Given the need for ‘no-deal’ Brexit planning (and spending), markets could be in for a rough ride in the short term. It may be that Remainers will still do all they can to scupper Brexit, but on the face of it Brexit is now on track to be delivered. For those already holding investments, my advice is to hold your nerve, but review your investments to make sure you have a diversified portfolio. If you have too much exposure to the UK or EU, consider reducing this until a Brexit plan and timeframe has been agreed and factored in by the markets. The worst scenario for investors and savers alike would be

BY Christina Brady

Venezuela oil death A FORMER executive at Venezuela’s staterun oil company PDVSA has been found dead in Madrid. Police in Spain’s capital have launched an investigation after Carlos Marquez, 48, was found hanged in a flat on the outskirts of the city. Marquez had appeared in court over his alleged involvement in a money-laundering scheme. While he denied the allegations, he had reportedly agreed to collaborate with authorities investigation corruption at PDVSA.

Hot-spitality ANDALUCIA has started the summer with the best June in history for hotel business. The Costa del Sol has contributed significantly to the bumper season, with hotels in Malaga contributing almost 40% of the region’s take. The average daily price of a hotel stay has also increased by 5.5% and now stands at €91.93. The total growth recorded in Malaga hotels has been estimated at more than 618,794 tourists. Overnight stays are also up, by 1.5%, as Spanish holiday makers made up for a 1.6% drop in foreign bookings.

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PROPERTY

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Settle before you buy Jalon Villas believe renting before buying is the best way to make the most of the Costa Blanca

hen Lisa and Tony Stainer came to Spain 25 years ago, they knew they wanted to work alone. Throughout their hard-won tenure in the heart of the Jalon Valley they’ve seen estate agents come and go like the annual blossom of the almond trees. With eyes full of sun, sea and sales, many a talented business have folded unable to hack it in the beguiling Spanish market. “People often think they’ll come here and get rich quick,” Lisa says. “But Spain is still very old-fashioned in certain ways, you really have to know the people where you live to get the best from an area. “It took us five years to settle in and find the good Spanish guys we could truly rely on and trust.” With a love for the place they now call home ‘for life’, Lisa and Tony have a passion to make buyers feel safe. And that’s why they are perhaps going against profit incentives to encourage clients to rent before committing to a purchase. “Rentals are hard-work for us, but it’s so important to build confidence into the client,” Lisa says. “Take six months to see if this really is the place you want to lay your head, and can

SETTLED: Tony and Lisa Stainer

refund your rent if you pull out or make a purchase.” And with a philosophy based more on nurturing, the results have been dramatic. “We get clients coming back 10, or even 15 years later asking us to sell their property for them,” Lisa says. “When you have that loyalty, you’re really done your job right.” And this, to Lisa and Tony, is the key. They both live in Jalon, and in the small towns of the Marina Alta they know they will bump into clients in the pub over and again. “You have to remember that this is home for us too, and we also want to feel comfortable in what we do.”

Are you looking to buy in the Marina Alta? Contact Jalon Villa Properties on +34 966 480 517, or visit them directly in Jalón, Mon - Fri, 9.30 - 3PM

August 1st - August 14th 2019

TEULADA-Moraira is the most expensive municipality in the Valencian Community when it comes to buying a house, new figures have revealed. Average prices are €2,607 per sqm in the Costa Blanca destination - reportedly home to British celebs including football manager Sam Allardyce and Bond actress Honor Blackman. However the municipality was just shy of making the top 25 most expensive municipalities in Spain, according to a study by Idealista. The top spot of Formentera, however, is not far away from the Marina Alta

More-aira

shores. Land prices are an eye-watering €7,401 per sqm on the Balearic island. The second-most expensive municipality is Deya, Mallorca, with €5,342 per sqm, followed closely by Ibiza, with €5,318 per sqm. The remaining pricey spots heavily featured municipalities in the big cities of Madrid and Barcelona, as well as areas of the Basque Country and the Balearic Islands.

Cool down

Foreign demand for Spanish homes is cooling off for the first time since the market’s 2010 recovery

FOREIGN demand is showing a marked slowdown for the first time since 2010. After some nine years of growth it was bound to happen but it doesn’t bode well for the swathe of new developments on the Spanish coast targeting European holiday-home buyers. Property sales deeds entered in the Spanish land register by foreign buyers in the first quarter of this year numbered 16,331, compared to 16,833 in the same period last year - a

3% decline. Most buyers came from the UK (2,249), followed by France (1,232) and Germany (1,124), according to the latest report by Spain’s Association of Land Registrars. Mark Stucklin of Spanish Property Insight explained: “By country all the big European markets declined together in Q1, the first time that has

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WELL CONNECTED: Love island villa THE Love Island villa is owned by a multi-millionaire German whose wife is related to the Queen of England. Nikolaus Broschek owns the sprawling pad on Mallorca, where the ITV reality dating series is shot. A Mail Online probe this week revealed the 77-year-old is married to Princess Ingeborg Schleswig-Holstein, a fourth-great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria, and a member of German nobility. Broschek acquired the Love Island villa near the small town of Sant Llorenc des Cardassae in 2000. He reportedly met Princes William and Harry as they would be distant relatives and enjoy playing polo.

happened since the crisis. “Sweden led the way down with a slump of 35% compared to last year, followed by Belgium, Germany, the UK and France all on the skids. “These are the main markets for holiday-homes on the Spanish coast.” He added that there has been an increase in demand from Morocco, China, Algeria, and Romania, driven by economic migrants and Spanish Golden Visa investors. He added: “Local demand grew by 4.8% in the same period to 117,529 homes sales inscribed in the register. As a result the market share of foreign buyers dipped slightly to 12%. “It looks like foreign demand for second homes in Spain is going soft...the factors driving the change in demand will vary from market to market. I “If there are any factors in common they might include high property prices in Spain now that prices have recovered from crisis lows, high transaction costs, bureaucratic hurdles and lack of market transparency. “The trend in foreign demand is clearly downwards and looks set to continue so in the next few quarters at least.”

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CHIC: Madrid apartment block hides a bright yellow interior behind domino-like shutters

Starchitect wars Projects in Malaga and Madrid up for top industry gongs

WATCH YOUR STEP: Amazing set of perspex stairs in the XO House in Madrid, up for ‘Best Urban House’ award

ALAGA and Madrid are battling it out for the best Housing Project and Urban House at this year’s Dezeen Awards. The New Brick Tectonic apartment complex in Malaga, designed by Munoz Miranda Architects, will go toe-to-toe with the Elcano Housing complex in the capital, designed by the FRPO studio. Both have made it on to the long list of Dezeen’s prestigious annual awards in the Housing Project category. Meanwhile, the original XO House in Madrid has been shortlisted in the Urban House category. Dezeen is one of the most respected and read architecture publications in the world. It launched its annual awards last year.

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PROPERTY

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August 1st - August 14th 2019

Set in stone

Two gorgeous homes in Spain show the beauty of working with stone

UTTING-EDGE building design harks back to the ‘stone age’ in two of the latest projects rocking architectural circles in Spain. Casa Piedra, in Caceres and the Stone House in Menorca were constructed from ma-

terials hewn from their local surroundings, making them part of the natural landscape by default. Tunon Arquitctos used local quartzite, with windows framed in granite for their Caceres project, which sits on a plot sloping down towards

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the town, its thick walls providing it’s owners shade and privacy. The ground floor is a grid formed of nine identical rooms laid out in a threeby-three arrangement while interiors have been kept minimal. In the central room is a spiral staircase made from white-painted metal curves down to the basement level garage, laundry and a guest room. An open platform parallel to the house boasts a decking area and swimming pool. Nomo Studi’s Stone House makes use of the local limestone and smooth plaster for its dramatic cladding. The stunning home sits on sloping scrubland commanding cinematic views of the sea through a sliding glazed facade which can be opened to the elements in summer or enclosed to form a winter garden in cooler months.

CENTRE PIECE: Spiral staircase (right), while (top left) the opening facade makes this a home for all seasons

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Spanglish spuds A SPANISH restaurant has been ridiculed after a translation gaffe that saw traditional Iberian foods take a sinister turn in English. Barcelona-native Naru spotted the restaurant’s menu mis-translating the popular tapa of ‘patatas bravas’ as ‘angry potato’. Meanwhile ‘sangria’ was miscommunicated simply as ‘bleeding’. Twitter commentators mocked the linguistic faux pas, with user Sahari pretending to order ‘angry potatoes with bleeding, please’. Naru did not respond to a request for the name of the restaurant.

COCAS: To take away

Coca of the walk THE Valencian Community’s first-ever ‘coqueria’ has opened in Denia. The coca, a traditional Valencian food akin to a small pizza, has had no outlet dedicated to its production - until now. La Coqueria is run by chef Dora Perello who prepares the take-aways by hand from the shop on the avenida de Castelló. According to Perello, who learned the recipes from her grandmother, her aim is to compete with the imported pizzerias of the Marina Alta. “Our cocas evoke the past, and whoever tries them rediscovers flavours that have almost been forgotten,” Perello, 56, said. The Coquería has already received a prestigious ‘A’ for artisanship from the Valencian Community. In addition, Perello teaches workshops for children and adults to rediscover the origin of cocas, their flavours and their nutritional benefits.

¿Costa del donde? INTEREST in Spanish holiday destinations has fallen this year in favour of other popular sites on the Med. The Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Costa Brava, Ibiza and Menorca have seen fewer internet searches up to July this year, compared to the same period in 2018, according to TravelSupermarket. The fall contrasts with a surge in popularity for destinations such as Turkey and Tunisia. Resorts in the Antalya region of Turkey have jumped from 7th to 4th place on the list. Meanwhile Tunisia has shot up to 23rd position, compared with 75th last year. According to Thomas Cook, bookings are surging in these two destinations largely due to low costs – beers in Tunisia can cost as little as €1.

Boosted

It’s also boosted by the fact that the FCO have lifted travel bans against both countries after terror attacks – in Sousse for Tunisia and in Istanbul for Turkey. Emma Coulthurst, travel commentator for TravelSupermarket, explained that Brits are predominantly looking for value this year. One example is the Algarve in Portugal, which has moved up in rankings from 4th to 3rd this year. Emma said: “It is not surprising to see more British interest in Portugal this year. “Prices are, on the whole, slightly cheaper than in nearby Spain; a beer is likely to cost you £2.70 in Alicante but only around £1.60 in Faro, and a glass of wine around £2.”

Soup-er food!

Typical Spanish dish helps fight killer cancer cells, new study finds

GAZPACHO helps prevent cancer. That’s the findings of a new Spanish study which found the typically Andalucian dish helps disrupt the growth of colon cancer cells. Researchers in Almeria and Granada put the cold soup through an artificial digestive system before introducing the resulting substance to cultured tumours. Researchers kept to the traditional recipe, made up of tomato (385 grams), cucumber (58 grams), pepper (3 grams), garlic (2 grams), extra virgin olive oil (3.3%, v / v), water ( 3.3%) and vinegar (0.16%). All ingredients were fresh. The results showed that gazpacho not only stopped cell growth, but that it could induce so-called programmed cell death. “Upon contact with this type of food, a series of genes are activated that cause inhibition in development of tumours and

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Calle Móstoles, Moraira tel: 965 74 43 66 cause them to actively ‘commit suicide’ - known as apoptosis,” explained lead researcher Pablo Campra, from the University of Almeria. “Why and how they do it is something we are working on now.” The data also showed that ingredients like garlic or olive oil have an antitumor effect on their own, although they would require very high doses to reach gazpacho’s cancer-busting levels. "We have seen how the union as a gazpacho enhances all these properties, making its consumption more effective at significantly lower amounts," concluded Campra. The study was published by the Food Research International magazine.

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See Tapas treatments, page 26

Spanish ginspiration TANQUERAY’S latest gin offers a taste of Spain. Made with Seville oranges, Flor De Sevilla is the latest addition to the famous gin brand The use of Seville oranges goes back to the distillers’ roots when founder Charles Tanqueray used these world-famous fruits in his original 1830s recipe. Innovation Project Manager Refilwe Moswane said, "The

Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla reflects our love for innovating with flavour and constantly matching the quality of 200 years of Tanqueray’s rich heritage. “This new flavour encapsulates the spirit of Seville in a perfectly balanced variant, which results in a sumptuous blend that’ll bring a little bit of Spain to your occasions."

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FOOD,DRINK

August 1st - August 14th 2019

Tapas treatments Regina Lankenau and Maya Eashwaran create the OP’s guide to the most cancer-busting tapas dinner

Crash course What you should do if you have a car accident

UMMER is coming and with temperatures soaring it’s a great feeling, although a tad hot at times for all expats that live and work in this tranquilo environment. Tranquilo that is until the influx of tourists from many countries around the world, especially the UK and the rest of Europe. Now, more than any other time of year, one needs to be careful on the roads. With all the extra cars and drivers, who are perhaps more used to driving on the left, there is an inevitable increase in the risk of traffic accidents. That’s why you must always make sure your tyre pressures are correct by checking them at least once a month. Also check your car’s radiator level is topped up; the last thing you want is to overheat and have to wait for a breakdown truck on the edge of a busy motorway! It’s also illegal to run out of screen wash, so make sure this is topped up too. And driving with flip-flops or shoes with no back is not permitted either. Needless to say, seat belts must be worn and young children need safety harnesses. Using mobile phones is, obviously, a definite no. Should an accident happen, here are some tips everyone should remember: • Stay calm and wear the reflective vest which should be in your vehicle • Get to a safe area near the accident scene, turn on your emergency flashers and use the two triangles • Make sure everyone is okay and call 112, if necessary • When it is safe, take pictures of the vehicles involved, damage, road signs, etc. • Get statements and contact information from any witnesses • Complete the accident report: write down the other driver’s licence number, insurance details, vehicle information and phone number. Remember it has to be signed by both drivers and reported within seven days; If you need road assistance, call immediately to 900 101 369, Liberty Freephone Number, where you will be attended in your own language. Liberty Seguros Car Insurance is tailor-made with you in mind and is perfect for expats in Spain. It offers total coverage to both the driver and passengers in case of an accident, as well as 24/7 roadside assistance by calling a freephone number. It also includes a courtesy car for up to 35 days, personal liability for you as a pedestrian or amateur cyclist and you will get a 30% compensation on top of book value in case of total loss or theft. You can also select a vehicle repair garage of your choice to trust and give you peace of mind. Liberty Seguros is considered the preferred expat insurer in Spain today and has an extensive network of over 300 brokers and agents, who have many years of experience, and are dedicated to give you in-depth information about the different policies not only for car, but also life, home, business, commercial, funeral, etc., and advise you on the best cover to suit you and your family, in your own language.ç To find out more visit www.libertyexpatriates.es or call 91 342 25 49. Happy holidays!

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RESEARCH has long shown that a Mediterranean diet filled with fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish and vegetable oils provides superior health benefits to the typical Western diet. Recent studies by a team of researchers at Almeria University have even linked gazpacho and salmorejo, Andalucian tapa staples, to helping prevent the development of colorectal cancer. The refreshing summer soup is just one of several tapas whose ingredients are thought to help combat certain kinds of the disease. Here are some more ideas to round out the perfect tapas order for your next Friday night dinner.

Red Wine

Olives

A common pre-tapas snack to whet the appetite, olives provide an excellent source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that help to prevent cancer, especially breast cancer. The perfect accompaniment to bread and tapas, olive oil is also easily found in most Spanish foods, making this healthy food a no-brainer addition to your diet.

It turns out that the key component of Spain’s popular tinto de verano, aside from providing a refreshing reprieve from the summer sun, is also an effective way to deter disease. Studies indicate that resveratrol, the chemical compound naturally occurring in grapes and red wine, may help strengthen our body’s ability to stave off cancer. Though best enjoyed in moderation, it doesn’t hurt to loosen up every once in a while as decreased stress also betters the chances of prevention.

Orange jam with cheese

Oranges have long been regarded as one of the best fruits for health. Used as a spread for cheese, in Sevillan orange marmalade, and in fresh fruit drinks, oranges and orange products can help to reduce the risk of childhood leukemia and other forms of cancer while helping you cool off after a long day.

& TRAVEL

August 1st - August 14th 2019 Anchovies not only bring a little bit of the Spanish coastline to any tapas dish, but this fatty fish has also been linked with a lower risk of certain strains of cancer. Packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, iron, and protein, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a source of lean protein that come with countless health benefits.

Pedron Peppers

Anchovies Octopus Tender and crispy all at once, the grilled octopus is a canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t-miss in any tapas bar. This octopod delicacy is drenched in good omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, which are key in promoting a healthy heart. This low-calorie, high-protein cephalopod also boasts an incredible amount of B-vitamins--all pluses in the fight to prevent cancer.

Tomato Salad

Tomatoes contain an important antioxidant, known as lycopene, that is well-known as a cancer prevention agent. Lycopene is said to be vital in fighting off prostate and lung cancer, and, luckily for us, happens to be a part of one of the most classic tapa dishes.

Chickpeas The backbone to the famous Mediterranan diet, chickpeas contain an important mineral that helps the liver eject cancerous properties from the body. Chickpeas are also high in fiber, making them useful in preventing colorectal cancers. In addition, their high content of Vitamin C serves as an antioxidant, again assisting the body in warding off certain cancers.

These amazing green gems are a common sight in almost any tapas bar. Delicious, especially with a load of sea salt, but also packed with vitamin A, B1, C2, C and P, proteins, calcium and iron. Pimientos de PadrĂłn are a perfect source of your five a day and great cancer-fighters. Specifically the compound responsible for chili peppers' heat, called capsaicin, is believed to help fight off lung cancer.

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FOOD,DRINK

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Costa Glamper

ROOM: With a view in Chella

The Olive Press goes ‘glamorous camping’ in a hand-built Mongolian yurt outside Xativa

“ DECORATIVE: Tent pole inside the Mongolian yurt

THE paper not to miss in Costa Blanca THE Olive Press is now distributing all over the coast in a whole host locations. Found at golf courses, tourist offices, museums and petrol stations, it has become the most sought-after English newspaper on the Costa Blanca every fortnight. Look out for one of our many stands, as seen below at local newsagents. We print around 15,000 copies every issue and take our distribution very seriously,

DENIA DENIA DENIA DENIA JAVEA JAVEA JAVEA JAVEA BENISSA BENISSA MORAIRA MORAIRA MORAIRA MORAIRA GANDIA GANDIA ALBIR ALBIR ALBIR CALPE CALPE CALPE PEDREGUER PEDREGUER ALTEA ALTEA ALTEA

Carrefour Consum Denia market Tourist office Iceland Yorkshire Linen Bay Radio Jordan-Bay Iceland Pepe Sal Pepe Sal Iceland Quick Save Telitec Carrefour Tourist office Consum Mendoza Albir Sur Consum Britannia clinic Calpe Dental Harris Furnishing Monroes Yorkshire linen Dial Prix Albir Colonial

and need you, the readers to keep us informed of numbers... and more importantly if each location needs more or less papers. We also want to know where you would like to see it and where you don't think we should bother. Here are a select group of a few dozen key drops. Please get in touch at Newsdesk@theolivepress.es to find your nearest drop or suggest another.

ALFAZ DEL PI ALFAZ DEL PI ALFAZ DEL PI FINESTRAT JALON JALON JALON TEULADA TEULADA BENITACHELL BENITACHELL

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Sure you’ll see stars here, but only when you hit your head!” Ann Marie texts me before our arrival on the bumpy roads of Chella. Camping by itself brings with it enough bad memories of sleepless shut-eye on a lovely bed of stones. Or the time I bought a hammock and strung it between two Peak District trees, forgetting English summers only last until about 9pm. So, let’s just say, the idea of snoozing in bits of wood lashed together with the hair of a Mongol horse did not strike quite as glamorous as it sounds. But thankfully both Ann Marie and I were wrong. The Mongolian yurt is, for those who’ve never milked an oat, the Grand cru of tents. They’ve existed for 3,000 more years than the plastic canvas of a North Face, and they are the antonym of mass-produced. “Everything is living, right down to the pegs,” Ann Marie tells me as we admire the hand-painted wooden beams that hold up the cotton and horse-hair layers sheltering us from the heat. “The natural fibres breathe, keeping you cool in summer, and warm in winter. “It’s an art perfected over centuries by Mongolian craftsmen and women.” It is the first night since pre-Spanish summer I’ve not been praying to the fan god for relief. But with a fresh breeze coming in through the yurt door, patterned with technicolour ripple

clouds, I can in tranquillity gaze over the Canal de Navarres valley and onwards and up to the Milky Way. Ann Marie, 59, moved to this corner of the galaxy near Xativa to set up Yurtas Pepita, with Husband Dave, also 59, only back in January this year. But back then, the three yurts - named Persimmon, Pomegranate and Grenadilla in honour of nearby orchard CAMPING: Proves to be easy at Yurtas Pepita crops - were just a light-polluted constellation on philosophy - right down to the the horizon. solar-powered flashlights in the “The house we bought had been bathrooms. completely vandalised and burnt The Yurtas Pepita is in fact 100% out,” Ann Marie tells me over a sun-powered, relying on 10 solar barbecue to the music of tree panels for its electricity requirecrickets. ments. In fact, it was in such bad con- Water siphoned from nearby agdition that its price dropped riculture irrigation streams serfrom an initial €70,000 to just vice two hand-built bathrooms, €17,000 over the six months which offer the privacy and they had an eye on it before cleanliness one would hope for moving in. after a day stomping in the out“We had to rebuild the house doors - but still with enough starfrom scratch, but it means every ry sky to remember this is called piece of discovered or recycled camping. furniture has a story,” Ann Marie Glamping at Yurtas Pepita is ceradded. tainly not baked beans cooked And with a lot of help from over smouldering moss. Dave, an all-round handyman, But it still proves that there is a the place has indeed been in- certain craving in us for somefused with their back-to-basics thing raw, more down-to-earth than ready-made pizza in front of Netflix. The joy of camping lies in appreciating how tough it really is to cook your food from scratch, to craft a suitable shelter for your body, and to fashion a story from bits and bobs to keep you entertained beneath the stars. The only difference with glamping at Yurtas Pepita, however, is that you don’t get muddy or sweaty, and that Dave and Ann Marie have done all the hard work so you don’t have to.

HOME COMFORTS: Pieces of recycled furniture inside the yurt

Make an inquiry through www. yurtaspepita.com, or call Dave and Ann Marie on + 353 89 2478023. Yurtas Pepita is situated in the town of Chella, near Xativa, and is an hour’s drive from Denia.

& TRAVEL Raisin the roof

27 27 August 1st - August 14th 2019

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August 1st - August 14th 2019

New exhibition at the Museo de La Mar in Denia highlights the ‘golden age’ of a thriving trade with the UK

RED boxes of Sun-Maid raisins are almost synonymous with raisins in the UK. But this is how boxes of raisins would have looked to British buyers a century and a half ago, according to an exhibition at the new Museo de La Mar in Denia. Documents shown to the Olive Press from a 1908 geography book state that ‘Denia was the centre of a thriving raisin trade, almost exclusively exported to England’ at the time. Denia’s municipal archeologist Josep Gisbert said British buyers ‘devoured’ the dried muscatel grapes in ‘cakes, puddings and with lamb’. “It was a period of rich cultural exchange between both Denia and the UK,” Gisbert told the Olive Press. “The 200 British boats coming each year allowed a bourgeoisie to thrive in Denia and elevate it to the advancement of other port cities such as Menorca and Malaga.” Gisbert added that Denia BEAUTIFUL: Hand-crafted raisin livery

ILLUSTRATIONS: Depticting classics Victorian scenes cover the ornate packaging

copied the lithographic printing techniques used for packaging raisins in Andalucia. The colourful illustrations depicted women in typical Victorian attire for the UK market. “The ostentatious Victorians particularly liked gold ornamentation at the time,” Gisbert added.

History, adventure and romance. That’s just the setting.

Documents in the exports to English ports reached 274,467 quintals in 1874 - almost 30,000 metric tonnes. Gisbert explained that Denia also benefitted from British manufacturing prowess, with the Anglo-Spanish Gas Company Ltd installing the first-ever gas lighting

in 1904. “This golden age for Denia came to a dramatic end in the early 20th century as plagues decimated Marina Alta vineyards,” Gisbert said. “Denia’s succulent, large grapes contained seeds, but after the plagues the Corinthian seedless raisins became king.”

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HEALTH Planet buff: Get your sexy back of p everything you love the apemen?

r built thing. ﬀ is a othing short- can ntuate ou are r way

better e. Far people g and good ﬁnally about giving doing having y. of mally body look ing to n and . And ularly ave a , with

www.weekender.news

28 www.theolivepress.es 28 August 1st - August 14th 2019

by BPT

runners and yoga enthusiasts topping the list. According to boardcertified plastic surgeon Walter L. Bernacki, MD of Ohio Plastic Surgery in Central Ohio, “The newest non-surgical body contouring system is Cutera’s truSculpt iD that uses radiofrequency (RF) technology to target and permanently destroy fat in your trouble spots (think muffin tops and love handles) - in just 15 comfortable minutes with no downtime. We have found that the treatment works on all skin types, sizes and physiques, including individuals who were previously not considered candidates for body contouring procedures.” What’s more, truSculpt iD produces an average fat reduction of 24 percent, and visible improvements are seen in 6 to 12 weeks following the first treatment. Multiple areas can be treated in one session,

August 1st - August 14th 2019

but additional World firsttreatments may be required for optimal as Spanish sculpting results. “TruSculpt iD create is a very scientists exciting new development in human-monkey 30 non-surgical body hybrids incontouring. China The lower abdomen and love handles can be treated in just a single 15-minute comfortable treatment session. Our patients have been very pleased with the body sculpting results they can achieve with this innovative system,” says Dermatologist Jeﬀrey S. Dover, MD, FRCPC of Skincare Physicians in Chestnut Hill, MA. By and large, people are

loving truSculpt iD A TEAMtheir of Spanish scientists has forInthea first time study fused results. separate and human cells,the in ofmonkey individuals who had a bid to improve transplants. procedure, 100 percent said The ‘chimeras’ - organisms they satisﬁ ed, would get withwere cells from different it genotypes done again- and refer werewould created at laboratory in China get a afriend for truSculpt iD.toAnd around legal issues.in - or out everyone felt better Izpisua and his ofJuan - theirCarlos clothes. team took a crucial step toSo, iftheir you’re about wards goalthinking of converting looking a new of animals’into bodies intokind ‘factopersonalized sculpting ries’ of organsbody for transplants. The researchers, part of without resortingwhotoaredrastic the Salk Institute of the United measures, ﬁnd a truSculpt iD States and UCAM, manipulated provider yougenes by searching inactive near monkey used for https://trusculpt.com/find-aorgan development. provider. They then injected human

Health & Beauty

Hepatitis free

SPAIN is on course to become the second country in thewww.weekende world to eradicate hepatitis C. By 2024, Spain is predicted to have zero cases of the liver disease, according to a study undertaken by scientists in medical centres across Germany and the USA. Iceland will reportedly pip the Iberian nation by eradicating the virus in 2023. FUSED: Monkey and human hybrid cells "Few countries have made an stem cells, which are capable of was not born, as scientists effort similar to that of Spain," generating any type of tissue. terminated the pregnancy. said Javier García-Samaniego, The chimera with human cells “The results are very prom- head of the Hepatology section ising,” Estrella Nunez, one of of the University Hospital La co-authors of the work, Looking sexy, svelte or built bythe but additional treatments loving their truS Paz. BPT told El Pais. in your clothing is one thing. may beSince required for optimal results. In a separ the launch of the national She added thatenthusiasts the groupsculpting of plan and yoga Looking better in the buff is a runners results. individuals who against hepatitis Cof in 2015, scientists the list.will, ‘continue con-“TruSculpt whole other ballgame. Clothing topping iD is a very procedure, which saw more than €2.5 bil- 100 per ducting experiments with According to board- excitinglion - even low-cut necklines, shortnewinvested, development in they were satisfied, 130,000 patients human ed cells plasticand rodents surgeon and shorts or tight-fi tees - can certifi non-surgical body cured contouring. it done again and w Researchers saidtting ‘compatihave been of the virus. pigs, but with nonhuman L. also Bernacki, MD The lower abdomen and love a friend for truSculp hidestudies’ your flaws and accentuate bility would need to Walter Ohio Plastic Surgery in handles can be treated in just a everyone felt better i assets, you are of primates’. beyour carried outbuttowhen determine Virus of - their clothes. Izpisua, who“The was born Al- 15-minute comfortable Ohio, newestin single nude,ofthere’s nowhere - or way which the four models of Central bacete, also out ‘the “The Government bodycarried contouring artificial is most suitable non-surgical - to hideskin anything. treatment session. Our patientsprioritised So, if you’re think world’s first experiment of been this fight andwith managed to buyinto a new is Cutera’s truSculpt have for the If patient. you want to look better system very pleased the looking chimeras between humans at lower prices wholesaling But they you saidare thenot technology naked, alone. Far iD that uses radiofrequency body sculpting results theybycan personalized body andtechnology pigs’ in 2017. medicines,” was ‘promising’ it could to target and achieve more from it. More andasmore people (RF) with this innovativeGarcía-Sawithout resorting t That experiment added. greatly benefit burnliving victims destroy fatended in yourwithare into healthy and permanently system,”maniego says Dermatologist measures, find a tru out spots success, human The negotiation meant thenear you by in getting need offiturgent treatment. (thinkas muffi n tops cells these days. The good trouble Jeffrey S. Dover, MD, FRCPC provider compatible enough costs ofPhysicians treatment in fell love not handles) - in just 15 news is that there is finally andwere of Skincare in Spain https://trusculpt.co with pigs.minutes with no Chestnutdramatically from €50,000 per something you can do about comfortable Hill, MA. provider. However, Izpisua patient in 2015, €7,000 paid We have found and that hisBy and it that doesn’t involve giving downtime. large, peopletoare team have managed to cre- today. treatment works on all skin up carbs and sweets, doing theate chimeras species more In a first phase, until 2017, prisizes and ofphysiques, excessive crunches or having types, similar to one another, such ority was given to the most seriincluding individuals who invasive cosmetic surgery. as mice and rats. ous patients, at the highest risk not considered Fully one-third of were In previously Greek mythology chime- of death. Afterwards, all those for body contouring Americans opt for minimally candidates ras are often depicted as a affected were given medication. invasive fat reduction or body procedures.” fire-breathing creature com- Chronic hepatitis C affects 71 What’s ofmore, truSculpt sculpting treatments to look posed a lion, goat and million people worldwide, acGRAFT: New skin iD produces an average fat better in the buff, according to snake. cording to WHO data. a new survey of 500 men and reduction of 24 percent, and It is predominantly a bloodwomen from Cutera, Inc. And visible improvements are seen borne virus, spread most comthose who exercise regularly in 6 to 12 weeks following the monly by injecting drug users, are most likely to have a first treatment. Multiple areas recipients of blood products body-sculpting treatment, with can be treated in one session, and sometimes patients on haemodialysis. A significant number of those who are chronically infected will develop cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Look better in the buff: Get your sexy bac without giving up everything you love HOSPITALS in Spain could soon stock artificial skin for immediate use on burn victims. Scientists at the University of Granada (UGR) have developed four new models of artificial skin using stem cells taken from adipose tissue, dental pulp, bone marrow and umbilical cords. Currently skin grafts can be grown using a burn victim’s own skin cells, but the process takes weeks.

Second skin

Sapheon VenaSeal closure system An apple

he Sapheon VenaSeal closure system is a unique and minimally invasive treatment that uses a medical adhesive specially designed to treat varicose veins quickly and effectively. Using ultrasound, the doctor guides a small catheter through a small access site in the skin to the diseased vein. Next, the VenaSeal dispenser delivers a very small amount of medical glue to close the vein. Once the diseased vein closes, the blood is immediately redirected to the other healthy veins in the leg.

a day

Unlike other treatments: zz VenaSeal does NOT require tumescent anesthesia (which is injected into the leg through multiple needle punctures), zz NO anesthetic sedation, whereby patients can return to their normal activities immediately after treatment. zz Unlike heat-based procedures, with VenaSeal there is NO risk of skin burns or nerve damage. zz VenaSeal usually does NOT require any medication for post-treatment pain, or uncomfortable compression stockings.

Come and visit us. We will inform you. CLINICA BRITANNIA, 16 BIS (next to 16) FIRST (not Ground) Floor, Ejercitos Españoles Av Tel 965 837 553 - 24H 607 255 755

DOCTORS across Spain have asked to regulate vending machines so they contain at least 50% fruit and healthy snacks. The Spanish Society of Epidemiology (SEE) linked the proliferation of vending machines in schools, sports and health centers to ‘the growing problem of obesity’. "We believe that in centers where there are children or patients, vending machines should not offer unhealthy products that cause obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol,” said Miguel Ángel Royo Bordonada, a SEE member and leading doctor specialising in public health. For this reason, the SEE want vending machines in publicly-funded centres to stock 100% healthy products - and at least 50% healthy snacks everywhere else. The organisation believes the move will help to cut costs in the long-run by ‘reducing diet-related diseases’.

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Doctor without border

How you can access a UKbased GP anytime, anywhere while in Spain

ITH the uncertainties of Brexit you need to know that you can access healthcare anytime you need. GP On Demand can give expats access to UK based GPs to get the health advice they need at the end of a phone 24/7.

29 29

August 1st - August 14th 2019

Polished to perfection

Dental porcelain may look good at first, but lose in the long-run to K Sud Dental’s new composite veneers

BEFORE

omposite veneers are facings made of a highly polishable resin that can be placed over anterior teeth to give them a better appear-

ance. The advantages over conventional dental porcelain are that composite veneers are less destructive to natural teeth, they can be placed in one visit, they can be repaired at chairside and are more economical. The correct placement and final finishing is a difficult skill to master. However, at K Sud Dental, we enjoy doing the veneers and have been attending courses to master the technique. With the aid of choosing the best composite brands, and the best polishing or finishing discs, we are confident we can provide you with the perfect ‘mini smile makeover’ in one visit at an affordable price. All procedures come with a three-year guarantee and - every six months at your check up appointment - a complimentary polishing treatment. For more information regarding pricing,

AFTER

and a collection of before and after photographs, please visit our website and read our Google reviews.

Dr Karan Sud British dentist Calpe

“Karan is a perfectionist, who is at the top of his game with leading technology and cosmetic procedures, and still regularly attends courses in latest techniques. The above and great pricing make him my 'go-to' dentist in Spain.”

BE PREPARED This week has seen the installation of a new Prime Minister; another act in the seemingly never-ending Brexit saga. Even the dumb money was on Boris Johnson to win the race. Boris’s name was no doubt etched on the nameplate number 10 some time ago with the same confidence the engraver etched Shane Lowry’s name on the Claret Jug at The Open Golf after the 15th hole. Back here in the UK, it seems we are making preparations for Boris’s “Do or die” No-Deal Brexit. There are all sorts of opinions flying around as to what the implications of a no-deal Brexit would be. One thing seems certain – nobody really knows for sure. So, on a personal level, it would seem prudent to make our own individual preparations. One of the most important issues, Brexit or no Brexit, is our health and our access to medical care. A great bastion of British society would still seem to be the NHS. It must still be reasonable if even Donald Trump is inclined to insist it’s on the table in any new trade deal and our usually equivocal politicians are adamant that he can get that idea out of his head. But in this period of Brexit uncertainty, there is one thing that can offer ex-Pats a bit of security in terms of access to health care – GP on Demand expat (www.gpondemandexpat.com) .

August 1st - August 14th 2019

Peter Johnson

Great as our NHS might be, it is under some strain and there are increasing problems and delays in making an appointment to see your GP. So the demand for telephone and on-line access to a GP provided by private services in the UK is becoming increasingly popular. Our own GP on Demand UK service is an example of that. GP on Demand provides access by telephone to a UK based, NHS registered GP 24/7 365 days a year. It also provides access to a video consultation between the hours of 8.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m. (London time) for those consultations which would benefit from visual interaction. There’s even a service that can deliver, at extra cost, prescriptions to your door. And now this service is being made available to expats. With GP’s registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and with approval from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), this is a high-quality service that gives ex-Pats access to English speaking, UK based GP’s. Even if Brexit was not on the horizon, the comfort the service provides is well worth having at your side. And, just to round the service off, the whole family living with you is covered. Just imagine being able to phone and speak to a UK GP in the middle of the night – deal or no deal. For more information, go to www.gpondemandexpat.com

+34 634345685 Jayne.nuttall-blake@thegoodcaregroup.com

For more information visit www.ksuddental.com Tel: (+34) 965 837 553 - 24h emergency: (+34) 602 612 688 Clinica Britannia, Avda Ejercitos Españoles 16, first floor, Calpe

30 30

COLUMNISTS

GetTING

August 1st - August 14th 2019 Conn ectED

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August 1st - August 14th 2019

Google off

By Loraine Gostling

The mighty power of social media is harnessed by Loraine Gostling in the hunt for her missing pooch

try her luck with a Great Dane! So, as you can imagine, when we realised that she ( Jazz) had gone walkabouts, hearts were pounding, adrenaline pumping and we all stood and looked at each other in disbelief. It takes a while for the penny to drop and then 30 seconds to formulate a plan….. the plan was….grab phones and run around the neighbourhood screaming like maniacs and shouting her name. Not a good plan as she was deaf, lol…. But really, the brain does not engage in panic mode and so four people running in all directions, shouting “Jazzy, Jazzy, Jazzy” at 11pm on a Sunday night achieved nothing apart from a few neighbours coming out with their trumpets, banjos and saxophones thinking they were in for a good old jam! Regrouping after 20 minutes of a marathon around Moraira, the penny dropped. “Hey” said one of my daughters “ Do you not run a couple of pretty big Facebook groups mum?” Hell, yeah, the world and his wife have found their pets on them but blind panic had omitted to recall that little fact. Thinking about posting an appeal on my own group then filled me with dread! I would be a

huge target for the “OMG…”she” has let her dog escape” brigade. Blind panic turned into paranoia, haha. By then, our phones were all running out of battery, having used them as torches and I took the coward’s way out and had my daughter go on to the Moraira group to post the appeal to find our baby, who, by now, in our imaginations, had either been killed, injured or was, as we spoke, in canine combat with an unsuspecting Rottweiler who was out for his evening constitutional with his human! So, after deciding who had the most charge on their phones, my daughter logged on to the Moraira group with a view to carefully wording our appeal to avoid the slings and arrows of discontent. And there she was, posing for strangers’ cameras, looking all innocent! A few people had spotted her highness trotting her way

around Moraira. She had headed dozen occasions I found myself to a bar ( see how well I trained having to do 86 point turns down her, lol) where all the customers narrow lanes, teetering on the were making a huge fuss of her. brinks of chasms and all in a car So we ran ... well they kids ran that had lost it’s power steering! and I drove ( running just makes So finally, there she was…. lookme look foolish ing at us with her ‘cos I can’t do it) doleful eyes as to the bar, only if to say “WhasIf someone to find that some sup? Were you kind person had, worried? It’s cool sarcastically by then, taken here eh? Meet her back to their remarks “Google my new mates!” house. Fears And there you It!” tell them to have it my then set in that said kind person friends…… if “Google Off “ may have a dog.. you are part of or even worse.. a group that is cats! But she there to help you, was safe and so after heavy sighs then never be scared to ask. Your of relief, we all got in the car and question may be trivial to some tried to find the villa, which was but it matters not a jot. If someone not easy as by now our phones sarcastically remarks “Google It!” were dying and GPS was not an tell them to “Google Off “as never, option. Adding to our pain, we got ever have I heard of Google sendlost several times and on about a ing you a PM saying “Don’t worry, I can help you”. Google won’t help you find a pet or more importantly a family member with Alzheimer’s, or a child who may have decided to wander off alone. And for those who may be reading this and know they are guilty of being unhelpful, spiteful or just a damn troll… please think before you go keyboard-warrioring. Someday you just may need some help yourself and by that time, it may be too late, your membership just may have expired! I just have to finish by saying that sadly, our Jazzy is no longer with us, having trotted off to the Rainbow Bridge last November at the ripe old age of 16, where, we expect, she is still having a barkingly good time arguing with the poodles!

OP Puzzle solutions

Quick Crossword

Across: 7 Etch, 8 One-sided, 9 Underestimate,

10 Throaty, 12 Stack, 14 Ogles, 16 Charred, 19 Concentration, 21 Mess hall, 22 Nigh.

Down: 1 Stench, 2 Thee, 3 Rosette, 4 Deity, 5 Diameter, 6 Septic, 11 Overcast, 13 Shortly, 15 Grocer, 17 Enough, 18 Inlay, 20 Tune.

SUDOKU

y pondering journeys Now then…. most of us would reover the last week took spond kindly to such a question, if me to many places. they know the area the aforesaid Much of my inspiration escapee, most would keep a look for writing this column obviously out for the little Houdini. Some comes from life experiences but people would (and do) even go also, having to be almost con- out and see if they could find him. stantly monitoring a large Face- Local shelters are alerted and the book group, where there are sto- hunt begins. BUT, despite knowries-a-plenty emanating from the ing that the owners are really wormembers. Some posts are hilari- ried, there are still people who ous, some rather start blaming sad and others the owners and are just factual lecturing them Oh shit! didn’t and helpful but on how irresponlock the gate in the main, most sible they are! people post to This in NOT helpand my dog has ask for help or ful and I say this advice. A few from experience. escaped...has folk just like the My little old sound of their anyone seen him? Staffie, was 14 own voices, othyears old when ers are maybe she toddled off lonely and purely need people on her own one night whilst we to talk to them. Their questions were staying at a friend’s villa may seem trivial to some of the and we had not realised that the less understanding members lock on the gate had not clicked but our particular group was set into place. She could not ( we up to help local people and help thought|!) walk far, but she was comes in many different ways… not used to being alone and was from recommending a partic- not at all “street-wise” . Also she ular service, restaurant, shop was a real “people-pup”, she etc to “Oh shit! I didn’t lock the adored human attention but hatgate properly and my dog has es- ed other dogs with a vengeance caped.... has anyone seen him?” and would, if she got the chance,

8 2 1 9 5 3 6 7 4

5 9 3 4 7 6 8 2 1

7 4 6 2 8 1 5 3 9

1 5 4 7 9 8 3 6 2

2 6 9 1 3 5 4 8 7

3 7 8 6 2 4 1 9 5

4 3 2 5 6 9 7 1 8

6 1 7 8 4 2 9 5 3

9 8 5 3 1 7 2 4 6

Puzzle by websudoku.com

SPORT

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Sheikh, rattle and goal PREMIER League title-winner Shinji Okazaki has begun training with Malaga CF ahead of his move to the club. The Japan forward, 33, is awaiting the results of his medical, but has already been pictured donning the kit of the Segunda side for training sessions. Okazaki said he was ‘really happy’ to be joining the Blues and Whites, and now needs Malaga president Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani to officially sign off the deal. The pacey striker has represented his country 119 times and is also Japan’s third highest all-time goalscorer with 50.

August 1st - August 14th 2019

Real Madrid block Bale transfer to China, despite Zidane saying it is ‘best for everyone’ GARETH Bale has been dealt a huge blow after Real Madrid blocked his big-money move to China. The Welsh winger would have earnt €1.1million a week had he joined Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning on a three-year deal. But Madrid president Florentino Perez stopped the transfer in its tracks after the Los Blancos board has asked for a transfer fee. The Wales international, 30, will now continue at Real Madrid, where he joined in 2013 from Tottenham for a then-record fee of €100million. It is highly unlikely that another European club will be able to foot Bale’s €660,000-a-week wage.

Chinese breakaway Kicking off

It comes after Galacticos boss, Zinedine Zidane, admitted it would be ‘best for everyone’ if Bale left Real Madrid. His comments follow a relationship breakdown between the pair, who won have won three Champions League titles together. After the French manager left Bale out of a pre-season game with Bayern Munich, which Madrid lost, he said, ‘we hope he leaves soon’. He added: “We are working on his transfer to a new team. “I have nothing personal against him but there comes a time where things are done because they must be done.” Bale still has three years left on his contract with the Bernabeu club, where he has made

STAYING IN SPAIN: Gareth Bale just 79 La Liga starts in the previous three seasons, after numerous injuries.

You’ve been Froomed

GOLD: For Chris Froome

BRITISH cyclist Chris Froome has been retrospectively awarded the Vuelta a Espana 2011 title after its original winner, Spaniard, Juan Jose Cobo, was found guilty of doping. He is now Britain's first Grand Tour winner, as the 34-year-old’s victory comes before Sir Bradley Wiggins’ 2012 Tour de France win.

Cobo, 38, was stripped of his title by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) after abnormalities in his biological passport were found, dating to 2009-2011. Celebrating his new victory, Froome said: “Better late than never! The 2011 Vuelta holds some very special memories for me.”

NO: To China move

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SPAIN’s top league has gone to court with the country’s football association over a ruling that fixtures cannot be played on Fridays or Mondays. La Liga had objected to the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s ruling that fixtures cannot be played either side of the weekend without their approval. The RFEF’s competition judge has already rescheduled fixtures from the competition’s first three rounds. It comes after Alaves fans held a mock funeral during their match against Levante in protest at their game being switched to a monday night. “Spanish football fans do not want game on these days. “Especially Mondays, it is very difficult for fans to enjoy the game,” a RFEF spokesman said. La Liga fear their broadcast deals may be threatened by the ruling. President javier Tebas said, “With this illegal conduct RFEF officials are generating confusion in the national and international broadcast space, which accounts for €2 billion in annual rights income.” The court hearing has been set for August 7.

THE Valencian Community’s marathon champion Jaouad Tougane has been arrested following a spate of robberies in Valencia. On separate occasions, the athlete robbed handbags, money and a robot vacuum before using his powerful legs to sprint away.

FINAL WORDS

Whopping result BURGER King staff can now sport beards after a lawsuit in Barcelona was upheld against the fast food chain’s uniform policy.

Tumbling down A TENERIFE environmental group has set about dismantling stone towers left by tourists after claiming the viral practise threatens the islands’ habitat.

Shoedunnit A MAN has been arrested after attempting to smuggle €2,000 worth of hash in his Nike Air Force 1 trainers from Ceuta to Algeciras.

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Vol. 1 Issue 10

Shocker as nurse refused on flight for swollen face RYANAIR has refused to board a British nurse after her face swelled up and no longer matched her passport picture. Shannon Wotherspoon, 24, was stranded for 10 hours at Alicante airport before forking out €230 for a British Airways flight to Edinburgh. The saga began when Shannon suffered a skin irritation that

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Your expat

voice in Spain

August 1st - August 14th 2019

Blown out of proportion

caused her face to swell up. “My skin was all puffy and when I arrived at check-in I flagged that up...The woman at the counter gave my passport a close examination and immediately started shaking her head,” Shannon said. “She also noticed a bit of water damage on the edges.

Manne-que? A BRITISH expat has described her ‘shock’ at finding a bizarre ‘sex toy’ dumped by a Costa Blanca bin. Lesley-Ann Hutchinson approached the refuse area on the Cumbre del Sol, in Benitachell, before sighting what looked like ‘the dead body’ of a man. “I nearly had a heart attack,” Hutchinson told the Olive Press before she realised what the mysterious mannequin

Angry bird

could be. The lifelike toy was on full display in a box with delivery details indicating it had come from China.

A BRITISH mum has revealed how she was left with ‘Angry Bird eyebrows’ following a botched waxing session in Spain. Colline Rees, 37, from south Wales, was left speechless after a beauty therapist in Tenerife waxed off both her brows before attempting to draw them back on, leaving ‘two slugs’ which made her look like ‘one of the birds from the game Angry Birds.’ A former alopecia sufferer, it took her NINE months for her brows to grow back. Rees said her €3,000 holiday was ruined as she couldn’t pose in any photos.

UNIMPRESSED: Shannon and (right) passport pic

Parking hell

“She eventually asked a supervisor, and I could see her shaking her head and saying I couldn’t fly. “The issue wasn’t up for debate. The only positive advice I was given was that another airline might not be as fussy as Ryanair – and that turned out to be the case.” Shannon had other forms of ID, including a driving licence, which had exactly the ‘same’ picture as on Shannon’s passport. Shannon’s stepdad Stephen Cross said: “I don’t under-

BENIDORM residents are in uproar over a car park that fines drivers based on whether the final number of the licence plate is even or odd. Rules on a sign at the at the Las Terrazas parking space read: “Even registration numbers only on even days of the month.” The bizarre rules led to three foreign cars being fined within ‘20 minutes’ last week, according to a social media post by Benidorm resident Anton Bodnarec.

stand how she was refused by Ryanair but allowed by British Airways. “Shannon was very scared and upset.” A spokesman for Ryanair said: “It is each passenger’s individual responsibility to ensure that he/she is travelling on a valid passport (not expired and not damaged), in compliance with Ryanair’s terms and conditions.” The low-cost airline were contacted for an explanation on why Shannon was refused boarding, but have yet to reply.

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